Derry Senior Football Championship: First championship loss in three years for Glen

Derry’s Senior Football Championship threw in this weekend, with defending champions Glen losing to Slaughtneil at Owenbeg. 

Glen are looking to become the third club to win four consecutive senior championships, but a Shane McGuigan goal denied them the perfect start, bringing to an end their three-year undefeated run in the competition.

Instead, it was Slaughtneil who began their campaign perfectly with a 1-11 to 0-11, as the first half goal coming from a rebound of a penalty proved decisive. 

Elsewhere in Group A Swatragh impressed as they blitzed three goals past Dungiven in a five-minute period of the second half as they put Dungiven to the sword after an exceptionally tight first half. 

A scoreline of 4-12 to 2-7 is not a fair reflection of the overall nature of the fixture, and Dungiven will look to Kilrea next week with a point to prove. 

The opening game of the group saw the Senior League champions begin their championship with a defeat to Bellaghy, as Kilrea were brought back down to earth, losing 2-13 to 2-10 at Owenbeg on Friday, following the high of less than a month ago of securing their first senior league title in 43 years. 

Meanwhile, in Group B, Magherafelt dominated Steelstown on Friday night, barely getting out of second gear as they defeated the city side 0-11 to 0-3. 

Shane Heavron scored six points for the away side as they nullified any attacking threat Steelstown offered. 

Newbridge also got off to a winning start as they sneaked past Lavey in a one-point victory on Sunday. 

The Intermediate League champions were unable to bring their perfect league form into the senior championship as Newbridge won 0-9 to 0-8.

The other game from this group was a draw between Ballinascreen and Loup, as the game finished 1-9 to 0-12.