SLAUGHTNEIL begin the defence of the Fr Collins Cup against Banagher in Owenbeg tonight - the scene of last year's victory over Ballinascreen. Banagher may not have hit the headlines in recent years but they remain a very difficult side to beat, with a number of Derry inter-county hurlers.
The best indication of Slaughtneil's emerging talent was seen in the 2013 Ulster final defeat by Loughgiel last October. The Antrim champions were stunned in the first 20 minutes, the slick, sharp, classy hurling of the Emmett's causing genuine trouble.
Now they start out again on the Championship trail against a Banagher side that has been capable of big performances on any given day, but lacks the consistency to repeat such performances on a regular basis.
With players of the calibre of 'keeper Darrell McDermott, Peter O'Kane, Mark Lynch (pictured), Darragh, Tiarnan, Ruairi and Oisin McCloskey, Jonathan O'Dwyer and Shane Farren, they will not succumb easily.
O'Dwyer's time with the county panel over the last two years has seen him make rapid improvement, and he and Farren are forwards that Slaughtneil will have to keep a good eye on.
The difference, ultimately, could be that Slaughtneil have a more potent attack. Brendan Rogers remains a doubt with the hand injury that ruled him out of the Ulster final against Antrim, and having been terrific last year - particularly in the final - he would be a major loss. For a lot of last year, they played Chrissy McKaigue at full-forward and he may start there again if Rogers is not fit.
In the O'Doherty brothers and expert free-taker Gareth O'Kane, they have more scoring options.
Slaughtneil will start as favourites to reach the semi-final but Banagher will make them battle to justify that tag.