No more room for error in Derry Intermediate Football Championship

It’s the final round of group games and 10 teams are still in the reckoning for the title.

Ballerin and Castledawson have been knocked out, while Glenullin and Limavady have secured top spot in their respective groups.

The quarter-final draw is seeded with group winners in one pot and the runners-up in another.

Claudy will be hoping to bounce back from defeat to Limavady when they host Lissan on Sunday.

Ciaran ‘Banty’ Mullan’s side had a mixed start. Jack Boyce hit an early goal but they had Shane McGahon send off on a straight red card.

With Limavady full of confidence after their promotion to Division One, it was a long way back for Claudy.

Lissan were also beaten and it leaves his game as a must win game for Claudy with their poorer score difference. A draw would be enough for Lissan.

Ballerin lost to both Craigbane and Foreglen who meet at Gerry Crossan Park this weekend.

Both have qualified and the game deciding top spot, a draw enough for Foreglen and their greater score difference.

Caolan O’Connor hit 1-8 for Foreglen with All-Ireland minor winner Caoimhin Hargan one of their newcomers. Oisin and Eoghan Duffy still man the key positions.

Craigbane are with retired duo Rory Moore and Bliain Gormley this season. Jude Óg Moore is out of the country and Lee Moore is on the injured list.

They had their spells against Ballerin with Conor McLaughlin and Brian Rainey coming up with big plays at important times.

A tight one here. A home win could be on the cards but it’s hard to look past Foreglen.

Eoghan Rua and Ballymaguigan meet down at the Port to decide who goes into the quarter-final draw as a top seed.

Dara Mooney hit 1-12 for Eoghan Rua against Castledawson but they’ve lost older brother Ruairi to the dreaded ACL injury.

Ballymaguigan were winners over ‘Dawson and backed it up with a commanding in over Doire Trasna to secure their Division Two status for next season.

Tom Crozier is a colossus at midfield with Ciaran McIvor and Tomás Brady still making them tick.

Eoghan Rua are one of the leading contenders and could pick up a second win on home soil.

The tie of the round takes place in Clady where Greenlough welcome Desertmartin in a crunch encounter to decide who joins group winners Glenullin in the quarter-finals.

Desertmartin boss Sean Brady will hope to get something out of Lachlan Murray who had a recent operation.

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At the other end of the field, Niall Loughlin will be a key man for Jude Donnelly’s side.

The fact one of the contenders will be gone before a knock-out ball is kicked makes this one a seismic encounter.

Sunday (1pm) - Claudy v Lissan; Craigbane v Foreglen; Eoghan Rua v Ballymaguigan; Greenlough v Desertmartin

Intermediate top scorers:- Dara Mooney Coleraine 1-12; Cormac Quigley Limavady 0-14; Shea McKenna Castledawson 0-12; Caolan O'Connor Foreglen 1-8; Pearse O'Neill Ballymaguigan 1-7; Donal O'Kane Glenullin 2-4; Richard King Limavady 0-10