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After a hectic weekend of Derry senior football qualifiers all eight teams left in the competition are now known with the quarter-final draw throwing up a series of intriguing encounters.

Local side Eoghan Rua will lock horns once again with Loup in a reprise of their 2011 quarter-final tie which the south Derry men won. This game will take place at Owenbeg on Saturday afternoon with a 2.00pm throw-in. Eoghan Rua came through the ‘front door’ beating Swatragh in the first round and then accounting for Ballinascreen in Round 2.

Loup took the longer route, they beat Steelstown in the first round before losing to Dungiven in Round 2, they then seen off the challenge of Swatragh at the weekend, winning 1-13 to 2-6, to book their place in the quarter-finals and another tussle with Eoghan Rua.

When these sides met in the league back in early May, Eoghan Rua won a high scoring encounter at home 1-16 to 0-13.

This weekend’s quarter-final is more likely to be similar to their last championship meeting in 2011 when Loup won a tight, dour, defensive game 0-6 to 0-4 to end Eoghan Rua’s short reign as county champions.

Loup always raise their game for championship and the Coleraine side’s early season league win over them will have little or no bearing on the outcome this Saturday afternoon.

The wide open spaces of Owenbeg should suit Eoghan Rua but they found it difficult enough to break down the well rehearsed defensive strategy of Ballinascreen in the last round, Ciaran McGoldrick’s goal late in the first half eventually proving to be the difference between the sides. It is very likely that a goal or goals will prove crucial again on Saturday afternoon; the team that gets one or possibly two will be in the driving seat for sure.

Supporters going to this one should not expect a score fest, another tight defensive battle is likely to be on the cards.

The championship really starts this weekend as there are no more chances left, no back door safety net, its win or bust from here on.

It will be tight, Loup have been gathering a bit of momentum since their first round loss to Dungiven, they have a very experienced side and know how to grind out tight championship games, but so too does this Eoghan Rua outfit as they demonstrated against Ballinascreen.

It will be tight, too close to call, the team that gets a goal most likely will emerge winners by a couple of points.

The full Derry senior football championship draw is:

Eoghan Rua v Loup (Owenbeg Saturday 7th Sept at 2.00pm)

Lavey v Glenullin (Magherafelt Saturday 8th Sept at 2.30pm)

Ballinderry v Kilrea (Owenbeg Saturday 8th Sept at 5.30pm)

Dungiven v Ballinascreen (Owenbeg Saturday 8th Sept at 7.00pm)

Under-16 footballers lose semi-final

Eoghan Rua’s Under-16 footballers were well beaten in their ‘B’ championship semi-final clash with Loup in Bellaghy last week, the concession of three goals left them with a big hill to climb as they went down 3-8 to 0-8.

The Coleraine lads started nervously and although they took the lead through a Niall Brown point the Loup scored a goal with their first attack. This was followed up quickly with a series of points but as the half wore on and the nerves settled Eoghan Rua came back into the game drawing level by half time.

Their rhythm was disrupted however with an injury to Hal McGonigle midway through the half and the loss of his speed at the back would come back to haunt them. The Loup full forward line was very fast, good ball carriers and took their scores with consummate ease. There were further problems for Coleraine at half time when the impressive Justin Donnelly was forced to retire with injury.

The second half was virtually one-way traffic as Loup took hold of the game when the referee awarded a controversial goal after he had blown for a free.

This caused the Coleraine heads to drop and although they fought bravely for the remainder of the game they were never allowed to gain a foothold. Another refereeing decision seen Eoghan Rua denied a clear free when Paddy Mullan was advancing on the Loup goal, he was being held round the neck but was given an ‘advantage’ call before being dispossessed, the ball was then quickly moved up-field where Loup then grabbed another crucial goal themselves.

To win championship matches a team needs a rub of the green and this deserted Coleraine on the night.

However Loup were deserving winners they were faster to the ball and moved it quickly to their attack.

Their defence was ruthless when Coleraine attacked and constantly harassed their opponents not allowing them to build any rhythm to the play and they took full advantage of every slice of luck going their way – and that is how teams win championship games!

Eoghan Rua team: Cillian Butler, Conor Boyle, Hal McGonigle, Justin Donnelly, Simon Purvis, Tomas Magee, Shea McLaughlin, Paddy Mullan, Jack O’Doherty, Barry Daly, Ruari Devine, James Maguire, Niall Brown.

Eoghan Rua girls lose to Claudy

Eoghan Rua Under 16 Ladies football team lost their penultimate league game of the season going down at home against Claudy last Tuesday evening, the game was played as a 13- aside contest.

The more experienced Claudy side ran out 2-8 to 1-3 winners. The first half proved to be a real struggle for the home side as they were held scoreless while Claudy hit 1-3 to take a good lead into the second half.

The Eoghan Rua defence was under pressure throughout the first half with Cora Lagan, Anna Frizelle and Aimee Tweed doing well in stemming the tide.

At midfield Anna Morrison and Aoife Boorman were finding things tough against their older and more experienced opponents. In attack Brenda Grant was proving a good outlet for the Eoghan Rua girls but an unfortunate injury to Aoife Kelly robbed the Coleraine girls of a scoring threat. Francesca Watson and Grace Taylor tried hard to retain possession and Sorcha Duggan when introduced showed glimpses of her potential as she battled for every ball.

Naoise Kennedy was also working hard to get into shooting positions but a series of wides from Anna Morrison and Brenda Grant meant that Claudy went in at half time leading 1-3 to nil ahead. The second half proved to be a lot more encouraging for the home side. Brenda Grant switched with Anna Morrison and both Caitlin McFall and Ellen Ferris came into the forward line.

With Aimee Tweed, Cora Lagan and Anna Frizelle continuing their good form in defence and improved displays from Darcey Kelly and Niamh Boorman the Eoghan Rua team enjoyed a much more even contest in the second half. Francesca Watson proved a reliable goalkeeping option as her clearances found players in space and she dealt comfortably with any Claudy attacks on goal.

Aoife Boorman showed very well in the second half with great work rate and determination.

Her skills have improved greatly this year and her non-stop running and the strength of midfield colleague Brenda Grant helped create scoring opportunities for the Eoghan Rua team.

The link play of Ellen Ferris and Caitlin McFall helped create scoring opportunities for Naoise Kennedy, Sorcha Duggan and Anna Morrison. Indeed the strong running of Anna Morrison from the half forward line seemed to be a better option for the Eoghan Rua girls in that second half.

Three points from Naoise Kennedy were scant reward for their second half display as a series of wides from the Coleraine girls meant they were unlikely to close the gap.

A goal from Brenda Grant also reduced the margin but Claudy ran out eventual winners on a score of 2-8 to 1-3.

Eoghan Rua team and scorers: Ellen Ferris, Aimee Tweed, Cora Lagan, Darcey Kelly, Anna Frizelle, Niamh Boorman, Anna Morrison, Aoife Boorman, Aoife Kelly, Brenda Grant (1-0), Francesca Watson, Grace Taylor, Naoise Kennedy (0-3). Subs Caitlin McFall for Aoife Kelly, Sorcha Duggan for Grace Taylor, Grace Taylor for Niamh Boorman

Weekly Lotto

The Eoghan Rua Lotto numbers drawn Sunday 1 September were: 9, 13, 16 and 20

There was no jackpot winner of the £1000.

The winner of the £25 winner – Declan Brolly (Portstewart)

Next Sunday’s jackpot is now up to £1100.

The club would like to say thanks to all who support this important club fund raiser.

Anybody not currently playing the weekly Lotto and who wishes to participate can pay weekly or via quarterly standing order.

The entry fee is £1 per four number selection from numbers 1 to 24.

If you wish to enter the Lotto then email [email protected] and organisers will arrange for you to be contacted to enable you to take part.