Derry hurling clubs fighting for Ulster Championships this weekend

Slaughtneil are laser focused on reclaiming the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship for the first time since 2021. 

The South Derry club have been bridesmaids for the previous two seasons, as they lost to two Antrim clubs on the previous two occasions in the Ulster Final.

However, as they beat last year's Ulster Champions Cushendall in the semi-final live on RTE two weeks ago, they will be full of confidence they can claim their fifth Ulster title.

The semi-final was an enthralling and breath-taking fixture that had spectators all around the country that tuned in unable to move away from the TV set as the action was relentless.

As their Antrim opponents scored a dramatic late goal to take the match to semi-final, many in Slaughtneil may have worried about the negative psychological impact it may have had on the Derry side, but they went again and got the job done on a scoreline of 1-36 to 3-25.

Slaughtneil will be brimming with confidence that they can claim the title, as a club from either Derry or Antrim have lifted the trophy for the last nine years, with the last Down victor in 2014.

However, that Down club will be Slaughtneil’s opponents on Sunday at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, Portaferry. 

This will be the third time Portaferry have contested the Ulster final, with the side well aware that they enter it as underdogs. 

Slaughtneil will be wary of the task at hand and focused on ensuring there is no complacency, as they look to get over the line for the first time since 2021.

Throw in for the final is at 5 pm on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Swatragh are in the intermediate Ulster Hurling final on Saturday afternoon with throw-in at 1 pm at Loughgiel.

The Derry club expertly manoeuvred the semi-final fixture, with Breadagh coming out as 1-16 to 0-13 victors. 

Swatragh are looking to become only the second Derry club to ever lift the competition, following Banagher’s success in 2021.

In the final they will face Carey Faughs from North Antrim, the 2004 champions, as they overcame Castleblaney in a tight fixture, with only a goal to separate the two sides as it finished 1-11 to 0-11.

Swatragh will want to ensure the Antrim dominance of the competition, as the title has headed to the county on 12 occasions, and in doing so, make history by climbing their maiden Ulster Intermediate Championship.

Meanwhile, Ballinascreen will face Father Murphy’s from London in the Twinning final ahead of the All Ireland club championship. 

Father Murphy’s claimed the British title after they defeated Fullen Gaels, Lancashire, in Birmingham on a scoreline of 3-19 to 2-10.

This will prove to be a tough test for Ballinascreen as they face a side that will have players from across Ireland and Britain that are living in the London area playing their hurling; however, the Derry side will be confident after their maiden Ulster Hurling Championship.

A dominant win in the Ulster final over East Cavan Gaels on a scoreline of 1-25 to 3-9 demonstrates the ability that Ballinascreen have as they prepare to take to the pitch at Owenbeg at 1 pm on Saturday afternoon.