Ladies Football Championship begins tonight!
Can Lavey continue incredible success story?
MONDAY evening will see the start of the Ladies Football championship with action in both the junior and intermediate competitions.
Steelstown’s Ulster Intermediate success last year saw them promoted to the Ulster senior club and as they are the only graded senior championship team in the county they automatically go straight through as county representatives. All eyes will be on the Intermediate level and especially on Lavey after back-to-back county titles. Having clinched the junior title in their first year, they followed this up with the Intermediate title. However, the county Intermediate champions last year entered the Ulster junior championship which allows them remain at the Intermediate grade.
They will begin their campaign with a home fixture against Glen.The Lavey girls went all the way to Ulster honours clinching the junior provincial title. Their progression in such a short time is phenomenal and they will be relishing the challenge against sides such as former kingpins of Derry, Glen. Also in this three team group will be Ballerin who have a bye on the opening night.
In Group B, a crunch tie will begin it too, as Ballinascreen welcome Ballymaguigan in a mouthwatering encounter. Both sides, will begin this championship with high hopes of landing the crown but with Magherafelt also in the group they will know a win here is a must. Two sides from both groups advance to the semi-finals with the top team having home advantage in that last four clash.
The Junior championship is also split into two groups with the same outcome, top two sides going into the semi-finals. In group A, reigning champions Desertmartin are joined by Eoghan Rua and Limavady. The opening game will see the meeting of Desertmartin and Eoghan Rua. In group B, Faughanvale will welcome Claudy on the opening day while Moneymore will have a bye. Claudy lost out to Lavey in the Intermediate final last year so they will be fancied to have a huge impact in the junior championship.
Fixtures
Monday 19 August
Intermediate Football Championship
Lavey v Glen
Ballinascreen v Ballymaguigan
Junior Football Championship
Desertmartin v Eoghan Rua
Faughanvale v Claudy