Packed weekend ahead as Derry Championships taking shape!

The curtain came down on the group stages of the Derry Hurling Championship on Sunday and the semi-final line-up is now confirmed. Reigning champions Sleacht Néill and Ballinascreen maintained their perfect records, each recording three wins from three to top their respective groups.

They will be joined in the senior semi-finals by Kevin Lynch's and Swatragh. In the junior competition, Banagher, Lavey, Na Magha, and Eoghan Rua have all secured their places in the semi-finals.

With Sleacht Néill and Kevin Lynch’s expected to progress comfortably, and they did just that, it was Group B that provided the real drama heading into the final round. Ballinascreen, despite leading the group, knew there was no room for error as both their opponents, Banagher, and Swatragh, were still in contention for a top-two finish.

Ballinascreen stepped up when it mattered most. Goals from Eoin McCallion and Paul McNicholl ensured a crucial win, securing top spot in the group and removing any concerns about the outcome of the Swatragh match. Ultimately, it was Banagher who missed out – a bitter disappointment for last year’s senior runners-up.

As a result, the senior hurling semi-finals are set: Sleacht Néill will face Swatragh, while Ballinascreen take on Kevin Lynchs.

The winners of these matches will contest the senior final, while the beaten sides will drop into the Intermediate final, adding further significance to the semi-final clashes.

In the camogie championship, the group stages also wrapped up this week. Sleacht Néill and Swatragh topped their respective groups to secure direct routes to the semi-finals. Ballinascreen will now meet Glen, while Lavey will face Bellaghy in the quarter-final ties. The winners of those two games will join the group winners in the last four.

As the hurling action temporarily takes a back seat, attention turns back to the football championships this weekend. Owenbeg will host two double-headers in Round 3 of the O’Neills Senior Football Championship.

On Saturday, Faughanvale meet Bellaghy in the opening fixture, followed by a clash between reigning champions Newbridge and Loup. Sunday promises more excitement, with Kilrea taking on Lavey, and a highly anticipated derby clash between Banagher and Dungiven. The four winners from these fixtures will progress to the quarter-finals, where they will face one of the Steelstown, Sleacht Néill, Glen or Magherafelt.

Meanwhile, the final group games in the McFeely Group Intermediate Football Championship will also be played this weekend.

Claudy and Lissan go head-to-head on Saturday in a must-win encounter for both sides, as only one will keep their championship hopes alive. The other Saturday fixture sees Craigbane face Foreglen – both sides have already qualified, but top spot in the group is still up for grabs.

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Sunday sees another pivotal encounter as Greenlough host Desertmartin in a winner-takes-all battle. One of these teams will advance to the knockout rounds, while the other will see their championship journey come to an end. Elsewhere, Eoghan Rua meet Ballymaguigan in a match that will decide who tops the group, with both sides having already secured progression.

In the Premier Electrics Junior Football Championship, the final games in the round-robin format will be played on Sunday. Three matches are scheduled, and with eight of the nine competing teams advancing to the knockout stage, these games will determine final standings and seeding for the next phase.

All-in-all, it promises to be another action-packed weekend of championship football and camogie, with high stakes across all levels and as the competitions reach the business end, the intensity is rising and every match could be make-or-break.