LONG’S SUPERVALU CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES 2018
The opening exchanges in the battle for promotion has also thrown up some intriguing ties as eight clubs bid for a place in the top flight for 2019.
Ballyspallen had a season to remember last year and the Roe Valley club will be hoping for a repeat performance this time around, however like the rest of the competing sides it will all be about personnel.
Last season’s skipper Lee Ritchie has left Bridge Park to return to Eglinton and while that is a blow, Graham Kennedy’s situation could be the telling piece.
The teenager will be hot property throughout the region, however if he stays put, and the Averill brothers hang on too, Ballyspallen will be a danger to all.
They start their summer away to a St Johnston side who could also be competitive if they can iron out their deep inconsistency.
Killyclooney started 2017 like a scalded cat before things tailed off a touch at the start of the second half of the season.
Darren Moan will look for more of that early-summer form again but they have a very tough opener against Newbuildings to negotiate.
The visitors will be starting life without their talented West Indian Peat Salmon whose recent appearance for Jamaica means he cannot play in the North West under current regulations.
Their season could well hinge on who comes in as a replacement.
Glendermott, with the Cooke brothers set to be in tow start with a home game against a Bonds Glen team that has struggled in the past couple of years.
The Rectory lads really need to be winning games like this if they are to be a force in the promotion race.
Relegated Drummond will be keen to make a mark on the Championship too and again, much will depend on the players available to Chris Moore.
It’s a trip to Burndennett to begin with for them with the Tyrone side one of several who could go close this time.
There are three league games on the bounce for Championship sides before they too break for the start of cup competitions.
You can download a copy of the Championship Fixtures HERE
The NWCU Longs SuperValu Championship Fixtures are:-
21st April
Killyclooney v Newbuildings
Glendermott v Bonds Glen
St Johnston v Ballyspallen
Burndennett v Drummond
28th April
Bonds Glen v Killyclooney
Ballyspallen v Newbuildings
Drummond v Glendermott
Burndennett v St Johnston
5th May
Ballyspallen v Killyclooney
Bonds Glen v Drummond
Newbuildings v Burndennett
Glendermott v St Johnston
19th May
Glendermott v Ballyspallen
9th June
Drummond v Killyclooney
Burndennett v Ballyspallen
St Johnston v Bonds Glen
Glendermott v Newbuildings
16th June
Killyclooney v Burndennett
St Johnston v Drummond
Ballyspallen v Glendermott
Newbuildings v Bonds Glen
23rd June
Killyclooney v Glendermott
St Johnston v Newbuildings
Burndennett v Bonds Glen
Drummond v Ballyspallen
1st July
St Johnston v Killyclooney
Glendermott v Burndennett
Bonds Glen v Ballyspallen
Newbuildings v Drummond
7th July
Newbuildings v Killyclooney
Bonds Glen v Glendermott
Ballyspallen v St Johnston
Drummond v Burndennett
14th July
Killyclooney v Bonds Glen
Newbuildings v Ballyspallen
Glendermott v Drummond
St Johnston v Burndennett
21st July
Killyclooney v Ballyspallen
Drummond v Bonds Glen
Burndennett v Newbuildings
St Johnston v Glendermott
4th August
Bonds Glen v St Johnston
Killyclooney v Drummond
Ballyspallen v Burndennett
Newbuildings v Glendermott
11th August
Drummond v St Johnston
Burndennett v Killyclooney
Bonds Glen v Newbuildings
18th August
Killyclooney v St Johnston
Burndennett v Glendermott
Ballyspallen v Bonds Glen
Drummond v Newbuildings
25th August
Newbuildings v St Johnston
Glendermott v Killyclooney
Bonds Glen v Burndennett
Ballyspallen v Drummond
