Championship contenders clash next week

Arguably the league game of the week is Drummond versus Glendermott which starts on Monday evening - the home side remarkably still searching their first win while the visitors are two from two in their quest for promotion straight back to the top flight.

The other three matches are on Sunday. Killyclooney have a tough ask away at St Johnston as Mark Gordon’s men look to make it three wins on the bounce while Sion are at home to Burndennett, the home side in desperate need of a first win.

Bonds Glen, who have started reasonably brightly host Creevedonnell, two sides who were playing in the Premiership just a couple of seasons ago.

Saturday sees one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the season - the first round of the North West Senior Cup and the chance for several to pit their wits against the big boys.

There are four Premiership versus Championship clashes in all and the quartet of second tier sides will all have their work cut out to progress.

Killyclooney, who have turned their fortunes around dramatically in the first few weeks of this season, entertain Fox Lodge, another side that has promised more than they have delivered in recent years.

The game will give Clooney’s big players the chance to test themselves at a higher level and you can be sure Mark Gordon and his team will be up for the challenge.

The visitors, however, are packed solid with potential match-winners and Iftikhar Hussain will be bitterly disappointed if his boys can’t win this on their way to a good cup run.

Drummond beat Bready last season on their way to the semi-finals while Strabane lost to then Championship outfit Ardmore, so there will be plenty looking to the Roe Valley for a possible first round upset.

If they keep their eye on the prize Tommy Barr’s side should be too strong and progress to the next round.

The two all-Championship games are a pretty mixed bag - Glendermott having started well in the league and put up an excellent performance at The Hills on Saturday - will be strong favourites to win at Sion Mills while Burndennett’s home advantage against Creevedonnell could be critical.

Sion could easily improve enough to test the Bonds Street boys while it wouldn’t be an upset if the visitors put it up to Burndennett either.

There will definitely be at least two Championship names left in the draw come Saturday evening but it would be a brave man to name many more than that.