Ladies Junior structures revamped for 2024

THERE will be a new structure to Ladies Division Three this year with two groups set to compete in a new all encompassing junior league. There will also be an open draw for the Junior Championship with all seventeen clubs to compete.

The County committee endorsed the changes last week and while several clubs are still to confirm if they will compete, the two new sections (one consisting of eight teams and the other of nine) have been outlined.

Fixtures chairman Paddy O’Brien confirmed the changes explaining that the Junior B league and Championship would be shelved for the time being with all clubs set to contest the Brenda Logue Cup. The draws are to be made later in the spring.

Some tasty contests await in the league. Loughmacrory, Aghaloo, Galbally and Tattyreagh are in Section A, with Castlederg, Strabane, Drumragh and Pomeroy among the teams in Section B with the season due to start next month. Confirmed dates for the start of the All-County League are due this week with fixtures still to be firmed up.

There were two major transfers confirmed at the monthly meeting. Emma Jane Gervin and Niamh Hughes both switched from Aodh Ruadh Dungannon to Coalisland Fianna. The transfer of the two experienced players is a massive boost for the newly promoted Intermediate side who secured the Junior title last season after a cracking final against Castlederg.

The duo both have inter-county experience. Hughes played a key role as Tyrone won the All-Ireland title in 2018, only opting away from the side at the end of last year, while Gervin has been a regular this season again as Tyrone prepare for the league final next week. Both players hail originally from Coalisland.

The Adman Minor League started last week with some fine football on show and several tight contests. Loughmacrory had a narrow one point win over Glenelly, Dromore edged Carrickmore, while Moortown vs Kildress and Donaghmore vs Clonoe ended in draws. Omagh secured a big win at Edendork.

In Grade 2 there were victories for Coalisland, Killeeshil and Dungannon with St Macartan’s and Drumragh among the winners in Grade 3. The action continues on Easter Tuesday.