High stakes as Derry Senior Championship continues this weekend

The O’Neills Senior Football Championship continues this weekend with Round 2, and the stakes couldn’t be higher — four teams will make their exit from the competition by Sunday evening.

The action begins Friday night at Celtic Park with a crucial clash between two teams promoted from Intermediate last year: Faughanvale and Drumsurn. It’s a straight knockout for both, with the loser becoming the first team eliminated from this year’s senior championship.

Defending champions Newbridge also find themselves in a do-or-die situation. After a surprise defeat to Dungiven in the opening round, they now face Swatragh on Sunday afternoon in Owenbeg. Both sides are in must-win territory, and with the champions' title on the line, this game could prove one of the highlights of the weekend.

Saturday’s fixture between Ballinascreen and Kilrea will also see one side sent packing, while Sunday brings a repeat of the league playoff between Ballinderry and Banagher. Ballinderry, last year’s Intermediate champions, will be hoping for a repeat of their comfortable win in that earlier encounter. The four losers from these knockout ties will exit the competition, while the winners will progress to face the Round 2A losers — teams who won their first-round fixtures.

Round 2A itself promises fireworks. Dungiven’s reward for their impressive opening-round win is a high-stakes battle against Glen, which will close Saturday's programme in Owenbeg.

Earlier that day, Slaughtneil and Bellaghy meet in what is expected to draw a large crowd. On Sunday evening, another eagerly anticipated clash sees Lavey take on Magherafelt.

The weekend’s senior action kicks off Friday evening in Owenbeg with Steelstown vs Loup, where the winner will become the first side to book a spot in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, the McFeely Group Intermediate Championship and the Premier Electric Junior Championship also return with a full round of fixtures.

One of the key games in the Intermediate is Castledawson vs Eoghan Rua — with Dawson needing at least a draw to stay in the competition.

The same pressure is on Ballerin, who must get a result against Foreglen to keep their hopes alive. In contrast, Glenullin and Limavady can seal quarter-final spots with wins over Desertmartin and Claudy, respectively.

In the Junior Football Championship, Moneymore moved to the top of the table after a comfortable win over Ardmore on Sunday.

There was also plenty of action in hurling and camogie. In Round 2 of the Leadon Timber Frame Hurling Championship, Slaughtneil, Lavey, Ballinascreen, and Banagher all secured victories.

The reigning champions Slaughtneil holding off a spirited second half come back to defeat Kevin Lynchs while Lavey finished strongly to get their first win of the campaign against NaMagha. Ballinascreen made it a 100% winning start with a hard fought victory over Swatragh while Banagher defeated Eoghan Rua.

The Senior Camogie Championship also got underway, with Slaughtneil, Ballinascreen, and Glen starting strong.

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Defending champions Swatragh, however, were held to a dramatic draw by Lavey, thanks to Carla Collins' 1-1 in added time.

O’Neills SFC - Round 2A - Steelstown v Loup, Friday 7:30pm in Owenbeg; Slaughtneil v Bellaghy, Saturday 3:45pm in Owenbeg; Glen v Dungiven, Saturday 5:30pm in Owenbeg; Lavey v Magherafelt, Sunday4:30pm in Owenbeg

Round 2B - Faughanvale v Drumsurn, Friday 7:30pm in Celtic Park; Ballinascreen v Kilrea, Saturday 2pm in Owenbeg; Banagher v Ballinderry, Sunday 1pm in Owenbeg; Newbridge v Swatragh, Sunday 2:45pm in Owenbeg