THERE MIGHT only be six teams left standing, but a ferociously competitive Ulster Senior League is expected as battle commences this afternoon.
Cockhill Celtic, treble winners last season and four-in-a-row League winners now, are at Swilly Rovers today as the new term begins with games in the League Cup.
Bonagee United and Fanad United cross swords at Dry Arch Park with Derry City and Letterkenny Rovers not in action until Wednesday evening.
Picture caption: Eamon McConigley (Letterkenny Rovers), John Quigg (Derry City), Marty McDaid (Swilly Rovers), Gavin Cullen (Cockhill Celtic), Seamus McLaughlin (Fanad United) and Peter Moran (Bonagee United) all ready for the new Ulster Senior League season. Picture by Geraldine Diver.
Gavin Cullen has been dealt a big blow this summer with Malachy McDermott, a former FAI Intermediate Player of the Year, picking up a cruciate knee ligament injury while playing Gaelic football for Moville.
Cullen has added to his squad, with familiar faces in the form of Oisin McColgan, Johnny Havlin, Mark Moran, Ryan Varma and Daryl McDermott all returning to the club.
Cullen said: “I’m happy with what we have. I’m happy with the mix we have. I’m delighted, to be honest, to get some of those lads back. They’ll really add to the depth that we have.”
Swilly are something of an unknown quantity at the moment. The Ramelton side reversed a decision to withdraw from the League and have seen Aaron Rogan take over as manager from Jason Gibson.
JP McColgan, Ray Rogan, Aaron Rogan, Michael Devine, Noel Doherty, Jonathan McGuinness, Sean Rogan and Corey Hegarty have been among the new faces so far at Swilly Park.
“Hopefully we’ll get a good effort this year,” said player-coach Marty McDaid.
“We don’t want to go out and just show up. We want to compete and a top three finish is what we want. Second or third would be a very good season.”
Swilly have lost goalkeeper Gareth Wade to Bonagee United, whose manager Peter Moran wants to challenge the top sides. As well as Wade, a real statement signing, Moran has added former Derry City player Aidan McCauley to the squad at Dry Arch Park.
“We need to learn to be winners on the field,” Moran said.
“It’s difficult because they’re so young. I, as a manager, need to reward that.Our goal is to win every trophy. It’s unrealistic in a way, but why come out here if you won’t want to win?
“We will lose on certain days and we still need a wee bit of experience.”
Arthur Lynch oversaw a difficult season last time around, but has added considerably to Fanad United’s panel.
[adrotate group=”70″]Matthew Crossan, Seamus ‘Nanny’ Friel, Kieran Gorman, Gary Gorman and Shane Graham have all signed on the dotted line at Triagh-A-Locha.
“We’re trying to get back established at where we think we belong: Back at the top of Donegal soccer. The whole club has been busy. It will take time,” said club captain Davitt Walsh.
“I tasted success here as a young fella. I know what the club is all about. We want to get Fanad back again. That’s why we’re working so hard.”
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