Magherafelt seeking to unseat Newbridge as Derry champions

It’s championship finals weekend across the county as all three football club finals are set to take place, culminating in what promises to be a thrilling showdown in the O’Neills Senior Championship Final at Celtic Park this Sunday at 3:30pm.

The showpiece event will see reigning champions Newbridge take on a determined Magherafelt side.

The two teams have recent history, having met at the semi-final stage last year, with Newbridge narrowly coming out on top. This time, the stakes are even higher, as both sides prepare to contest for county glory and get their hands on the John McLaughlin cup.

Both clubs impressed in their semi-final performances last weekend. Magherafelt, produced a commanding display to overcome Glen. Their first-half performance in particular set the tone, and speaking after the match, Enda Muldoon expressed his satisfaction at reaching the final.

“We got a performance – probably more in the first half than the second – but we’re delighted to be in the final,” said Muldoon. “We asked all week, can we go and back up the Bellaghy game? And we did that. It’s another step toward where we want to be.”

IN PICTURES: Newbridge edge out Slaughtneil to reach senior final

Reigning champions Newbridge booked their place in another county final following a gripping semi-final encounter

Standing in their way are champions Newbridge, who showed resilience and grit to book their return to the final. In a dramatic semi-final clash against Sleacht Néill, Newbridge had to dig deep as their opponents clawed back to take the lead entering added time.

However, Conor Doherty held his nerve, slotting over a crucial two-point free to seal the win for his side.

After the game, Doherty kept his focus on the bigger picture.

“All that today will mean nothing if we don’t go out on Sunday and win,” he said. “We will go again, and Magherafelt will bring a different test and a different game. We’ll recover from this and then begin to prepare for the final.”

IN PICTURES: Magherafelt defeat former All-Ireland champions Glen in Owenbeg

It takes Rossa into a fourth final in 10 years

The senior final will be preceded by a hotly anticipated clash in the Premier Electrics Junior Football Championship Final (1:30pm), where Doire Trasna will take on Slaughtmanus. Doire Trasna needed extra time to see off a determined Moneymore side in their semi-final, while Slaughtmanus advanced after a hard-fought win over Glack.

Meanwhile, the McFeely Group Intermediate Football Championship Final is scheduled for Saturday afternoon (3:30pm) at Owenbeg, where Foreglen and Glenullin will go head-to-head for intermediate honours. Both teams have shown impressive form throughout the campaign and will be looking to cap off their seasons with silverware.

It’s wasn’t just football taking centre stage this weekend, as there has been plenty of action across the codes.

In camogie, Sleacht Néill were crowned Senior Camogie Champions, while Drum celebrated a deserved victory in the Junior Camogie Final.

Attention now turns to the Intermediate Camogie Final, where Dungiven and Ballinderry will meet this coming weekend to decide the title after both had semi final victories on Sunday afternoon.