AIB Ulster Intermediate Football Championship preliminary round: Loughinisland (Down) v Greenlough (Derry) (tomorrow, 3.30pm at Pairc Esler)
DERRY’S Greenlough were convincing winners of their county final and had little trouble seeing off Craigbane 2-17 to 0-9.
Bar two points, Niall Loughlin (2-8) and county star Enda Lynn (0-7) did the scoring. Lynn gets married today, but will turn out for the Joe Cassidy-managed outfit tomorrow and he and Loughlin form a dangerous double act that Loughinisland will have to restrict if they are to make the quarter-finals.
However, the Down champions have some star names of their own including former Mourne midfielder Dan Gordon and they were far too good for Marty Clarke’s An Riocht in their county final.
They are managed by Kilcoo native Jerome Johnson, a former Down selector, and include Rory Mason, son of former Down star Brendan, up front as well as Aaron McClements and emerging full-forward Conor McGoran.
AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship preliminary round: Tullysaran O’Connell’s (Armagh) v Coa O’Dwyer’s (Fermanagh) (tomorrow, 3.30pm at the Athletic Grounds)
AFTER breaking their Armagh championship duck two weeks ago Tullysarran take their first steps into Ulster tomorrow against Fermanagh’s Coa O’Dwyers.
The Orchard rookies return to the scene of their convincing win over Clonmore to take on a Coa outfit that qualified for Ulster competition thanks to a 1-11 to 1-8 win over Belnaleck last weekend.
The O’Dwyers have been on a steady upward curve since winning the Fermanagh junior title in 2006 and will have Cathal Beacom available after he was sent off against Belnaleck.
Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship semi-final: Sean Mac Cumhaill’s (Donegal) v Eoghan Rua, Coleraine (Derry) (tomorrow, 3.30pm, at Killyclogher)
THIS game has been switched to Killyclogher because Carrickmore’s ground was unavailable and goes ahead despite attempts by the Donegal club, who have several players missing, to have it postponed.
Manager Eamon McAuley could be without as many as 10 starters for the clash with their north-west neighbours. Meanwhile, Coleraine – who include up to 10 of the side that lost the county football final to Slaughtneil, hope to build on a 1-17 to 0-8 win against Tyrone’s Naomh Colm Cille.
Manager Padraig O Mianain should have Liam McGoldrick available. McGoldrick picked up an ankle injury in the football decider.
Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship semi-final: Ballela (Down) v Sean Treacy’s (Armagh) (tomorrow, 1.45pm, at the Athletic Grounds)
LURGAN outfit Sean Treacy’s reached this stage after impressive wins against Armagh rivals Derrynoose (1-20 to 1-17) and Cavan champions Cootehill (2-18 to 1-7).
They’ll face a tougher task against a seasoned Ballela side spearheaded by Down star Johnny McCusker. They have already come through intense struggles against Newry Shamrocks and Antrim’s Rasharkin to make the last four.
