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06 Sept 2025

Derry Intermediate Football Championship preview

Faughanvale

Faughanvale v Greenlough

McFeely Group Intermediate Football Championship

 

Ballinderry v Castledawson

Saturday - 2:30 pm - Ballinderry

 

A gigantic clash in Group A of the intermediate championship between the two sides yet to taste defeat; however, Ballinderry have a perfect record with their victories over Limavady and Drumsurn, whereas Castledawson could only muster a draw with Drumsurn before defeating Banagher. 

Ballinderry remain heavy favourites to lift the championship, as demonstrated in their dispatching of their opponents to this point, but Castledawson will prove to be the first real test of their campaign. 

The 2016 intermediate championship winners beat Banagher in a narrow one-point victory in the last round, demonstrating the quality they have to be in the conversation for the latter rounds.

Castledawson know this will be their toughest challenge before the quarter-finals with both expected to progress despite the result of this fixture. 

However, a win for either side is likely to guarantee their qualification to the knockouts.

 

Limavady v Banagher

Saturday - 2:30 pm - Limavady

 

This promises to be a tight affair, as both sides look to secure their second victory of the championship. 

Both sides have defeated Claudy; meanwhile, Limavady lost to Ballinderry, and Banagher suffered defeat to Castledawson. 

The Wolfhounds made hard work of their victory over the Claudy as they invited pressure late on by sitting deep and having men behind the ball, and they were thankful to escape with a victory. 

Compared to the humiliation that Banagher provided to their local rivals Claudy in the opening fixture on a scoreline of 4-9 to 0-1.

Banagher’s narrow defeat to Castledawson could have gone either way, so they come into this fixture full of confidence. 

Compare that to Limavady, who know they will need to address their defensive frailties if they want to secure victory this weekend. 

 

Drumsurn v Claudy

Sunday - 5:30 pm - Drumsurn

 

The hosts know this is the ideal opportunity for them to secure their first victory of this championship. 

Drumsurn welcome a side devoid of confidence having suffered two defeats, particularly following their hammering at the hands of local rivals Banagher in the opening round. 

The hosts have squared off against the two clubs occupying the top spots in the group and have given a fair account of themselves pushing Ballinderry close and securing a draw with Castledawson.

Claudy would have been undeserving of a victory over Limavady last round, and they pushed them right to the last after a poor first half showing. 

However, they still took nothing from the game apart from a few more lessons as they look to secure their first victory of the championship. 

Defeat for either side will put them in a precarious position, all but eliminating the visitors should they suffer a loss in reaching the quarter-finals; expect a nervy game, but one Drumsurn should edge. 

 

Glenullin v Greenlough

Saturday - 4pm - Glenullin

 

The current reigning intermediate championship title holders secured their first victory of this season’s competition in a convincing performance over Coleraine. 

They put their opening round defeat to Foreglen as they hunt down their third consecutive intermediate title. 

They host the only side yet to get a result in this group as Greenlough narrowly suffered defeat to Faughanvale in the dullest game of the championship to this point before being soundly beaten by Foreglen. 

Greenlough have faced two sides so far looking to be in the conversation for the title, and it doesn’t get easier as they look for their first victory coming up against the reigning champions. 

A captivating performance is required should they want to shock Glenullin and come away with a victory. 

The hosts will expect a performance from Greenlough, as a defeat will see the 2020 intermediate championship champions essentially crash out of the competition. 

 

Faughanvale v Coleraine

Sunday - 2:30 pm - Faughanvale

 

Faughanvale would have considered themselves one of the favourites for this season’s championship following their promotion to the senior league for next season. 

However, their championship form has been poor, with a boring win over Greenlough before a last-minute Conor McGuiness point spared their blushes in their draw with Desertmartin, incredibly reminiscent of England and their Euro 2024 campaign. 

Yet, like England, they are securing the results to get them to the quarter-finals.

And they are coming up against a side that only secured their first victory of the season in the opening round of the championship when they narrowly beat Desertmartin. 

They were brought back down to earth with their defeat to Glenullin last round. 

Faughanvale will look at this fixture as the perfect game to find some form and to put them right in the driving seat for progression to the knockout round.

Coleraine know that, as poor as they have been all season, a win in this game could help propel them into a position to advance to the quarterfinals.

There will be interested eyes on this fixture to see if any of the best qualities from either side make an appearance on Sunday.

 

Desertmartin v Foreglen

Sunday - 3:30 pm - Desertmartin

 

Desertmartin upset the odds as they pushed favourites Faughanvale all the way last round and looked like they had secured victory until Conor McGuinness snatched victory from right under their noses with the last kick of the game to end the game as a draw. 

The hosts will need the same performance to get anything out of their game with Foreglen. 

The visitors have looked imposing as they have easily secured two wins from two, with the side the best performing team in this championship this far.

Foreglen apply their football in the senior league currently and have done for the past few seasons, and it is incredibly evident in the quality they are demonstrating on the pitch. 

A performance of great magnitude will be required for Desertmartin to overcome a team hitting the sweet spot currently hoping they are on their way to their first intermediate championship since 2019.

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