Derry Championship heating up ahead of quarter finals

Reigning champions Newbridge got their championship campaign back on track with a commanding 0-23 to 0-12 victory over 14-man Swatragh.

After a disappointing opening-round defeat, the champions responded emphatically, setting up a Round 3 clash with Loup.

The loss sends Swatragh into the relegation play-offs, where they will face Ballinderry, who fell to Banagher.

That win marked sweet revenge for Banagher, who had suffered a heavy league playoff defeat to the Shamrocks earlier in August.

Also exiting the championship at this stage were Drumsurn and Ballinascreen, who lost out to Faughanvale and Kilrea respectively.

Friday night brought a moment of history for Steelstown as they secured a senior championship quarter-final place for the first time ever. A dramatic late goal from Corey McGuinness sealed a comeback win over Loup.

They were joined in the last eight by both Sleacht Néill and Glen on Saturday.

Sleacht Néill, as expected, pulled away from Bellaghy in the final quarter thanks to two late goals.

Glen produced a scintillating second-half display to overpower Dungiven, with Johnny McGuckian netting twice in the space of a minute shortly after the break.

Magherafelt claimed the final automatic quarter-final spot with a strong performance on Sunday evening, striking three first-half goals to beat Lavey convincingly.

The eight teams that have secured direct passage to the quarter-finals — Newbridge, Loup, Steelstown, Slaughtneil, Glen, Magherafelt, Banagher, and Kilrea — will now enjoy a four-week break before their next fixtures. Meanwhile, the third round of the championship will take place in two weeks' time.

The four remaining quarter-final places will be determined by the Round 3 ties with the draw on Sunday evening throwing up the following fixtures: Newbridge vs Loup; Dungiven vs Banagher; Faughanvale vs Bellaghy; Kilrea vs Lavey.

In the Intermediate Championship, Glenullin and Limavady have secured their quarter-final spots.

On the other end, Ballerin and Castledawson exited the competition and must now focus on preserving their intermediate status.

In the Junior Championship, both Glack and Slaughtmanus began their campaigns with opening-round victories, laying down early markers as contenders.

Hurling

Attention now turns to the hurling championship this weekend, with the final round of group matches set to decide the semi-final line-up. All games will take place on Sunday.

Group A - Slaughtneil host Lavey; Kevin Lynchs HC face Na Magha; Holders Slaughtneil and Kevin Lynchs are favourites to progress.

Group B - Swatragh face Eoghan Rua; Ballinascreen travel to Banagher. Ballinascreen currently lead Group B but may need at least a draw to secure progression, as a win for Banagher could push qualification to scoring difference. It promises to be a dramatic final day in the group stages as teams jostle for semi-final places.