LAST year’s Ulster Club SHC finalists, Cushendall and Slaughtneil, begin the defence of their respective county titles this weekend as hurling championship action starts in Antrim and Derry.
The Antrim action begins on Saturday as Dunloy, who are seeking to reclaim the crown they won two years ago for the fourth time in a row, host St John’s in Group Two
On Sunday, St Enda’s of Glengormley take on Loughgiel Shamrocks in Group One at Pairc Éanna, while the Ruairi Ógs travel to Belfast to face Rossa in Group Two.
Ballycastle have been given a bye on matchday one in Group One.
Last year’s final provided a showdown for the ages with Cushendall edging out Loughgiel by a single point, with the Shamrocks having ended Dunloy’s four-year dominance in the semi-final.
The battle for the Fr Collins Cup in Derry sees two games on Saturday at Owenbeg and two more on Sunday.
On Saturday, Kevin Lynch’s play Swatragh at 4pm with Eoghan Rua of Coleraine and city club Na Magha completing the double-header at 5.45pm.
Champions Slaughtneil play Ballinascreen at home on Sunday at 2.30pm, with Banagher hosting Lavey at the same time.
The Robert Emmett’s have won the last 11 titles, beating Kevin Lynch’s in the last five finals.
The Down Senior Hurling championship got under way last weekend with Ballygalget defeating last year’s finalists Ballycran 1-23 to 1-17.
Ballycran manager Michael Ennis said: “We were very disappointed with our performance last Sunday, but that shouldn’t take away from Ballygalget’s performance, they were much more energetic, pacy and aggressive all across the pitch.”
The quest for the Jeremiah McVeigh Cup continues on Monday night when reigning champions Portaferry take on Bredagh and Carryduff play Liatroim, both ties throwing-in at 7.30pm.
Last year, Portaferry came out on top after beating Ballycran in the final. Those two sides have now contested the last six deciders.
Speaking about the level of competition in this year’s championship, Ennis said: “Obviously, there are very strong teams in Liatroim and Portaferry.
“We were very lucky to get past Liatroim in the semi-final last year and [we] expect a tough battle when we meet them later in the competition.
“I think Portaferry is everyone’s team to beat at the minute, they’ve got a group of mature and experienced hurlers that are peaking at the right time in their careers.”
In the Cormac Leonard Commercials Armagh Senior Hurling Championship, round four will take place this coming Tuesday, with Middletown and Craobh Rua currently leading the way with three wins from their three games.
Six teams will all play each other in the round-robin series, with the final round taking place on Tuesday, August 20.
That round of fixtures will include the meeting between the two leaders, with Middletown currently shading top spot with a plus-44 scoring difference, compared to Craobh Rua’s plus-nine.
Derrynoose are third with two wins from three, while Keady Lámh Dhearg have one win from three and Cuchullain and Killeavy are still pointless.
Fixtures (first-named teams at home unless stated)
Bathshack Antrim SHC round one
Group One
Tomorrow St Enda’s v Loughgiel (2pm)
Group Two
Today Dunloy v St John’s (7pm)
Tomorrow Rossa v Cushendall (4pm)
*********************************************
Leadon Timber Frame Derry SHC round one
Group A
Today (Owenbeg)
Dungiven v Swatragh (4pm)
Eoghan Rua v Na Magha (5.45pm)
Group B
Tomorrow (2.30pm)
Slaughtneil v Ballinascreen
Banagher v Lavey
*********************************************
Morgan Fuels Down SHC round one
Monday, August 12 (7.30pm)
Portaferry v Bredagh
Carryduff v Liatroim
*********************************************
Cormac Leonard Commercials Armagh SHC round four
Tuesday, August 13 (7.15pm)
Cuchulainn Hurling Club v Middletown
Keady Lamh Dhearg v Killeavy
Derrynoose v Craobh Rua
