County Derry Post

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Newbridge
Who’s in charge? Having brought back the glory days to some degree, Sam Bateson and Thomas Fullerton are still in charge.
Who’s gone? No-one in the Newbridge squad has hung up the boots but Michael Bateson is likely to miss the start of the campaign with the shoulder injury he picked up in last year’s county final.
Any new faces? The return of Ryan McElhone from injury is almost as good as a new signing, while Odhran Scott and Gerard Burke are promising young players who will give the management extra options.
Aims for the season? They proved with their championship success last year that they have the ability to mix it with anyone in Division Three but they need to improve their consistency if they are to achieve the primary goal of promotion.
Key fixture? Their penultimate game will see them welcome their rivals Ballymaguigan in what could be a title decider.
Key player? Eamonn Burke has been fantastic in midfield for them but the whole thing seems still to revolve around Dermot Dougan at number 11. The ageing limbs were of no consequence when he rolled back the clock with some stunning performances last year.
Our assessment? The continuity that the continued leadership of their management will give them could help spur them on to achieve the consistency that they have lacked at times. There’s no doubting they have the players to win the league and we reckon they just might.
Where they’ll finish? Back to the big time in Newbridge

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Ballymaguigan
Who’s in charge? Replacing Seamus Birt will be Armagh native Paddy Flynn, who’ll pair up with Philip Kerr
Who’s gone? Veteran Stewart McErlain has finally hung up the boots at 39, but otherwise the St. Trea’s squad will be basically the same.
Any new faces? Brothers Michael and Packie Spiers are around the fringes of the panel, while Brendan Henry and Thomas Brady were around the squad last year but should make more of an impact as 2008 progresses.
Aims for the season? Having pushed for a number of years, Ballymaguigan finally gained promotion in ’06 but it was whipped away from them just as quick as they were sent straight back to Intermediate football. Another return to the big league is the obvious task.
Key fixture? When it comes to the ‘Quigan, it’s hard to look past a nice, friendly game with their neighbours Newbridge. Given that we’re tipping them to be numbers 1 and 2, their meeting on the second last day of the season could be one of the games of the year.
Key player? Ciaran McIvor is one of the most dedicated players to don the green and gold, and has become a central player in the half-back line.
Our assessment? Ballymaguigan were hugely disappointed to go down last season, even if they did put up a fight until the end. But after a relegation into such a tight league, it’s hard to see them going straight back up, though they’ll come close.
Where they’ll finish? They’ll just be edged out into 2nd.

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Foreglen
Who’s in charge? Having taken them to two Intermediate finals and the verge of promotion, Noel McFeely has stepped aside and will be replaced by Magherafelt native Cathal Higgins.
Who’s gone? For years, if you thought of Foreglen, you instantly thought of their inspirational captain Kieran O’Kane. But a series of injuries have caught up on him and he has hung up the boots. Bar that, it’s an exceptionally young squad.
Any new faces? There are very few squads in Derry who can boost the talented youth that Foreglen have. With teenagers Ciaran and Niall McFeely and Shane and Oisin Duffy having settled in well, the turn of Nigel, Marty and James Bradley amongst others could come.
Aims for the season? Despite an impressive couple of years, Foreglen have no silverware to show for their bother. They’ve been agonisingly close to promotion and fell at the final championship hurdle two years running. The aim will be silverware, preferably for them a league title.
Key fixture? Foreglen and Claudy have a bitter rivalry that, without doubt, the O’Briens have had the upper hand in for years. Foreglen will be hoping that the final day derby that was called off last year will mean a lot more this year.
Key player? With O’Kane having vacated the number 8 jersey that was his weekend clothing for 15 years, James Brolly will now be the man that Foreglen will look to for drive from midfield. They need him to perform to the top of his game this year.
Our assessment? They’ve been so close on so many occasions to making the step up into the top flight but their young squad might not be ready for the step up into senior football for a couple of years yet, and could find themselves edged out by Newbridge.
Where they’ll finish? More disappointment, finishing third

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Greenlough
Who’s in charge? Chris Brown has vacated the position and is replaced by Hugh Mulholland from Castledawson, and Bellaghy’s Jude Donnelly.
Who’s gone? Garrett O’Neill looks to have packed it in for the final time, while Brendan McPeake will be out for a couple of months after breaking his collarbone last weekend.
Any new faces? Chrissy Lagan, who was part of this year’s Maghera MacRory side, will come into contention, while Brian McCallion, who was around the fringes last year, will push for a more regular spot.
Aims for the season? They looked at one stage to be favourites for both league and championship last year but their season collapsed disappointingly, losing both at the hands of Coleraine. They will start as many peoples’ favourites this year again.
Key fixture? August 24 has the potential to be a huge day in Division Three. While Foreglen and Claudy are battling it out, Greenlough will be at home to Ballymaguigan, who are also tipped to be league contenders. I can’t wait already.
Key player? While Enda Lynn and Cormac O’Neill will share the scoring burden up front, the ‘donkey work’ is done around midfield by the vastly under-rated Niall Bradley.
Our assessment? The league is so full of teams who are at the one level that it’s almost impossible to call. Greenlough certainly are capable of winning the league and there’s no question that they’ll be in contention.
Where they’ll finish? Fourth is what we’re saying but the top four is very interchangeable. Certainly not ruling them out.

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Claudy
Who’s in charge? Gerard McGonigle takes up residence in the big Mitchel’s chair
Who’s gone? Shane Donaghy appears to have departed the scene, while Gavin Donaghy will only be available for another few weeks before he departs for pastures new. Veteran Willie Canning has also quit. Midfielder Barry Murphy is struggling with a groin injury that will keep him out for the first couple of weeks.
Any new faces? A young Claudy side will this year see the likes of Aaron Kerrigan, Paddy Hargan, Paul, Aiden and Ryan McLaughlin, Christy Woods and Odhran Devine fight for places
Aims for the season? Ordinarily, they would be aiming for promotion but given the youth (or inexperience, depending which way you put it) flowing through their current setup, their primary aim will be to consolidate their place and build for the future.
Key fixture? We love the derbies here at DP Towers, and none more so than when they have the potential to mean an awful lot more than usual. Their last game of the season will be against their rivals, Foreglen, who have they haven’t beaten in some time.
Key player? With his brother Gavin off for an extended stay out of the country, the scoring power of Martin Donaghy will be crucial to Claudy’s success but he has been hampered by a back injury that could do damage to their hopes.
Our assessment? Claudy still have the potential to cause bother for all the sides above them in Division Three but they are unlikely to win week in, week out on a basis that will see them seriously challenge.
Where they’ll finish? Mid-table mediocrity might do them well

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Desertmartin
Who’s in charge? Brothers Kevin and Declan Kidd will be the Martins’ leaders
Who’s gone? Desertmartin are also able to boost a fresh faced squad, but they do have a couple of long term injuries. Ruairi Murray and Jamie McElhennon are both out long term with hernia injuries, while youngster John Hughes is hopefully on the way back after a serious injury.
Any new faces? Their impressive minor side of last year has presented the management with Donal Murray, Eamon Hegarty, Paul Kidd, Conor Monaghan and Enda O’Hagan, all of whom are fancied to push hard for starting places.
Aims for the season? The St. Martin’s side never figured in the title race last year but came very close to knocking Foreglen out of the championship, proving that they have some potential. Their aim will be to keep pace at the top of the league and give the championship a rattle.
Key fixture? Given that they face newly promoted Faughanvale on the opening day, Desertmartin will be looking to kick start their campaign with a victory.
Key player? In what is a very young looking side, there will be great emphasis placed on their midfield pairing, where Johnny McGovern will be looked to for inspiration.
Our assessment? On first glance, maybe we’re being harsh putting their in sixth. They are young, pacy and constantly improving, but you fear that the absence of Ruairi Murray will hit them hard. Given the ultra competitive nature of Division Three, mid-table looks like their limit.
Where they’ll finish? If they finish in the top half, it’ll be a surprise. Sixth is our guess.

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Faughanvale
Who’s in charge? Gary Quinn takes over again from Brian McEniff and Nell McCafferty…
Who’s gone? Cathal O’Neill is yet another victim of cruciate knee damage that kept him out for the whole of last year and he is likely to miss the whole season again. Armagh native Barry McGeough is still deciding on his future as well.
Any new faces? A whole host of youngsters will feature for the Division Four new boys. Chrissy McNerlin, Ryan Brolly, Niall Quinn, Anthony McLaughlin and Derry minor Michael Quinn will give Gary Quinn a nice selection headache.
Aims for the season? The aim is to stay up, simple as. Having clung to the coat-tails of Steelstown all last year, they climbed over them on the final day and now find themselves on a real wave, with the whole Celebrity Bainisteoir thing providing match practice if nothing else. That could be crucial come August.
Key fixture? Round 12 on July 27 could pit them against the side most likely to battle against them in the race to stay up. Moneymore will travel to the St. Mary’s side for a crucial game towards the end of the season.
Key player? A superb scoring run brought Joe Gray’s name to the attention of everyone, though calls for a county call-up have so far been ignored. If he can prove his worth at this higher level, he might just get one.
Our assessment? The pre-season fun that they’ve been having on RTÉ is about to stop for the real business but it will stand them in good stead. Their extra sharpness could see them get a decent start, especially given that three of their first four fixtures are games they’d be hoping to win.
Where they’ll finish? They will not win the league, they’ll probably not reach mid table, but 7th will do them nicely.

Cahair O’Kane looks at
Moneymore
Who’s in charge? Peter Young is back in the hotseat for another year
Who’s gone? Ryan John O’Brien will again miss the entire campaign with a torn cruciate knee ligament, while Marty Conway is also expected to miss the season living in London.
Any new faces? Moneymore haven’t had much underage success recently and that is showing in the fact that they have no minors likely to push for a starting spot in the senior side. It’s basically the same squad as last year.
Aims for the season? The McCracken’s will be hopeful of better than last year, no doubt. They failed to really ignite in the league and their championship campaign was brief. The league will be just as competitive this year and, as much as they don’t like it, they could have bother staying up.
Key fixture? The acid test for them will be a long one. Their first three games pit them against Newbridge, Greenlough and Ballymaguigan. If they come out with points from that, it will be a huge boost.
Key player? Paudie O’Neill could be the key to keeping Moneymore in Division Three. Usually deployed on the edge of the square, he is the man who puts the ball between the posts and unless he hits top form, they could be in bother.
Our assessment? Moneymore seniors have regressed to some extent in the past few years. From regularly challenging at the top end of the division, they have slipped back and look likely candidates for the drop, where they’ll probably battle with Faughanvale.
Where they’ll finish? Just looking at the names in the league, it’s hard to see them prospering this term.