Leagues get under way

The Derry football leagues get under way next Sunday afternoon with all three divisions having a full round of fixtures.

Eoghan Rua, Coleraine get their campaign under way with a tough away game at Magherafelt. In the corresponding opening day game last year these sides met at Pairc Eoghain Rua with Magherafelt coming out on top. Mgherafelt went on to have very good season as they finished top of the table but lost out to Ballinderry in the play-off final.

Once again under the guidance of All-Ireland winner Gary Coleman they will prove to be a tough start for injury hit Eoghan Rua. Definitely out for Sunday’s game will be Niall Holly and Declan Mullan while Barry McGoldrick is a big doubt as he has not featured in the Derry panel for the last few weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Magherafelt have a potent forward line with the likes of senior star Emmett McGuckin and Under-21 players Chrissy Spiers and Chris Kearns on board. The Rossas will be strong favourites to get their league campaign off to a winning start on home soil. (senior at 3.30, reserves 2.00).

Derry championship draws

The M&L Contracts sponsored Derry senior football championship has thrown up a series of fascinating first round draws with a couple of tasty looking local derbies thrown in. The 2010 champions Eoghan Rua will meet newly promoted Swatragh while holders Ballinderry meet Newbridge. Local rivals Craigbane and Banagher are paired in a lively looking local derby while big hitters Lavey and Bellaghy should provide an interesting hour or so of action. Glenullin have tough looking tie with Magherfelt while Kilrea and Dungiven is another tasty tie.

The full M&L Contracts SFC Round 1 draw is: Loup v Steelstown; Kilrea v Dungiven; Ballinascreen v Slaughtneil; Coleraine v Swatragh; Lavey v Bellaghy; Glenullin v Magherafelt; Ballinderry v Newbridge; Banagher v Craigbane

McGurk Chartered Architects Senior hurling championship:

Quarter Finals

First round:

Lavey v Banagher

Semi Finals

Slaughtneil v Swatragh;

Lavey/Banagher v Ballinascreen; Slaughtneil/Swatragh v Kevin Lynch’s

Oakleaf Furniture Intermediate Football Championship:

Moneymore v Ballymaguigan; Glack v Limavady; Desertmartin v Claudy; Lissan v Foreglen; Greenlough v Ballerin; Ogra Colmcille v Castledawson; Drumsurn v Glen; Faughanvale v Slaughtmanus

Oakleaf Furniture Junior Football Championship

Pot1, Game 1 Doire Colmcille v Drum; Pot2, Game 1 Sean Dolan’s v Doire Trasna;

Pot1 Doire Colmcille, Drum, Magilligan ; Pot2 Doire Trasna, Ardmore, Sean Dolan’s

Oakleaf Restaurant Senior Reserve Football Championship:

Round 1

Ballinascreen v Dungiven; Steelstown v Banagher; Lavey v Bellaghy; Glenullin v Newbridge; Craigbane v Kilrea; Loup v Coleraine; Magherafelt v Ballinderry; Slaughtneil v Swatragh

Quarter Finals

Slaughtneil or Swatragh v Ballinascreen or Dungiven; Loup or Coleraine v Magherafelt or Ballinderry;

Lavey or Bellaghy v Glenullin or Newbridge; Craigbane or Kilrea v Steelstown or Banagher

Semi Finals

Craigbane, Kilrea, Steelstown or Banagher v Lavey, Bellaghy, Glenullin or Newbridge

Loup, Coleraine, Magherafelt or Ballinderry v Slaughtneil, Swatragh, Ballinascreen or Dungiven

Sportsworld Intermediate Reserve Football Championship

Round 1

Ballerin v Castledawson; Ballymaguigan v Desertmartin;  Limavady v Claudy; Moneymore v Greenlough; Slaughtmanus v Faughanvale; Foreglen v Bellaghy Thirds; Lissan v Glen; Magherafelt Thirds  v Glack

Quarter Finals

Limavady or Claudy v Ballymaguigan or Desertmartin; Magherafelt Thirds or Glack v Moneymore or Greenlough; Ballerin or Castledawson v Lissan or Glen; Foreglen or Bellaghy Thirds v Slaughtmanus or Faughanvale

Semi Finals

 Foreglen, Bellaghy Thirds, Slaughtmanus or Faughanvale v Ballerin, Castledawson, Lissan or Glen

Limavady, Claudy, Ballymaguigan or Desertmartin v Limavady, Claudy, Ballymaguigan or Desertmartin

McGurk Chartered Architects Reserve Hurling Championship

Quarter Finals

Lavey v Na Magha; Swatragh v Kevin Lynch’s; Eoghan Rua v Banagher; Slaughtneil v Ballinascreen

Semi Finals

Eoghan Rua or Banagher v Slaughtneil or Ballinascreen; Swatragh or Kevin Lynch’s v Lavey or Na Magha

Gaelic4Girls back at Eoghan Rua

Local club Eoghan Rua will once again host an exciting new programme called Gaelic4Girls that is commencing on the 15th April 2013. Gaelic4Girls is initially an eight week programme aimed at increasing participation in Ladies Gaelic Football. The programme targets girls aged between 9-13 years who are not currently registered with a Ladies Gaelic Football Club.

Gaelic4Girls is focused on fun and participation, allowing girls to get an introduction to Ladies Gaelic Football in a non-competitive environment. It will be held at St. Malachy’s school football pitch every Monday from 6.30pm, commencing on the 15th April. On completion of the programme, participants are presented with certificates and t-shirts for their participation. Following the 8 weeks, the girls will be encouraged to register with our Ladies Football club, and those that do will be integrated into the existing teams. A Mini Blitz will also be held with another Gaelic4Girls site after the 8 weeks and this is a major highlight of the programme. This will be followed by a Provincial blitz and a National blitz during the summer.

All girls from the triangle area and indeed the surrounding areas are encouraged to attend and learn the basic skills of Ladies Gaelic Football. This is a great way to make new friends and learn a new sport! The cost for the entire programme is only £8. For more information contact Eoghan Rua.

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