Football

Relegation threat adds twist to Derry openers

Michael Bateson (right) is a doubt for Newbridge's derby with The Loup because of a hand injury. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Michael Bateson (right) is a doubt for Newbridge's derby with The Loup because of a hand injury. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Michael Bateson (right) is a doubt for Newbridge's derby with The Loup because of a hand injury. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

O’Neills Derry SFC knockout round one

Cahair O’Kane

THE threat of relegation for the first time has added an extra sting in the tail to this weekend’s first round proper in Derry, says Newbridge boss Niall Conway.

His side face loughshore neighbours The Loup in possibly the tie of the round, although eyes will be cast towards Bellaghy and Swatragh this evening also.

Certainly none of the four teams would be considered relegation candidates in a normal year but the change in format leaves them all standing over a swinging trapdoor.

This will be the first season when a team’s championship status will be affected by championship results, with the county always having previously done its promotion and relegation through the championship.

That said, Newbridge were lucky that a post-season restructure last year kept them in the senior league, having been stunned in a playoff by Claudy.

“You can look at all the group stages but the first round of the championship is the most important game,” says Conway.

“It’s a big game for all the clubs. If you lose this game you go into the relegation battle.

“You might think you’ve been going well all year and next thing you know nothing until you’re relegated. Two or three weeks could just change the whole season.”

His side weren’t going well for 45 minutes in at Steelstown last weekend, five points down until they gave themselves a shake and hit 1-5 on the bounce.

The Loup were disappointing in their loss to Coleraine, with the weight of their absentees showing on a day when their ponderous attacking play saw them score just 0-7.

Terence O’Brien, Jason Rocks and Patrick Coney are all expected to miss out, while Newbridge will be without Aidan McGlone and are sweating on Michael Bateson.

“Newbridge are in their fourth or fifth year in senior football and they’ve definitely come up short in the championship so far,” admits Conway.

“They’re up against a team on Sunday who knows what it’s all about. The Loup might have been missing a couple of players but they might be back for the weekend so I wouldn’t read too much into that, with the group stages a lot of men maybe don’t take chances with players as well.”

Newbridge, with county men Conor Doherty and Padraig McGrogan and their respective brothers, both Mark, on the fringes of county football, are a running team with a reliance on Conor McAteer for scores.

The Loup will have noted Steelstown’s joy off a bit of kicking and will want to get Ciaran Devlin and Anthony O’Neill both a bit closer to goal. They haven’t fired in the group stage at all and Newbridge will feel they’re there for the taking.

Their fellow loughshore neighbours Ballinderry face Coleraine in the first game tomorrow evening. The Shamrocks were seriously understaffed last week in a 12-point loss to Slaughtneil, and they’ll be hoping Gareth McKinless is fit to start for the first time this season.

His brother Daniel pulled up last week too, though they should be able to call on the experienced Connor Nevin.

Coleraine have converted Barry McGoldrick into a very effective goalkeeper – he didn’t lose a single kickout against The Loup – though have had to bring brother Colm to midfield, with Niall Holly at full-back in the absence of Liam McGoldrick.

That blunts them somewhat, although Dara Mooney is blossoming in attack. There could be extra-time needed.

Bellaghy and Swatragh looks the hardest to call. Most will feel Kevin Madden’s side have an edge. They put a lot into the game with Glen last week but came up a bit short.

A late sucker-punch goal from Kilrea caught Bellaghy out last week having beaten Dungiven and lost to Lavey in a drab opener. Damian Cassidy’s new regime have been playing a defensive style and with Swatragh fond of kicking football, the Tones could be suited to cause a slight upset.

Dungiven have been quietly impressive so far, really putting it up to Lavey last weekend, when they were denied a draw when a fairly clear free wasn’t given when they were one down with a minute to play.

They will be fairly strong favourites against local rivals Banagher but will be well aware of the Feeny men’s ability to carve out a championship performance from nowhere.

Elsewhere holders Glen, even with a few injury doubts, should have too much for Ballinascreen, as their neighbours Slaughtneil will have over Claudy.

Steelstown’s first 45 minutes against Newbridge was arguably their best since the All-Ireland intermediate final at the start of the year. They’ve struggled to get it all right on their return to senior football and even though Lavey are only very slowly getting the likes of Matthew Downey back in, Jude Donnelly’s side should have a few points to spare.

Magherafelt have been moving up along the rails nicely and look well placed for a serious assault on the title after a disappointing 2021. Damian Barton’s side are first up against Kilrea this afternoon and will be expected to prove too strong.

Derry SFC this weekend

Saturday

2pm, Swatragh: Magherafelt v Kilrea

3.30pm, Swatragh: Glen v Ballinascreen

5.45pm, Owenbeg: Dungiven v Banagher

7.15pm, Owenbeg: Bellaghy v Swatragh

Sunday

1.15pm, Dungiven: Slaughtneil v Claudy

3pm, Dungiven: Lavey v Steelstown

5pm, Owenbeg: Ballinderry v Eoghan Rua

6.30pm, Owenbeg: Newbridge v The Loup