2025 Derry Senior Football Championship

2025 Derry Senior Football Championship
Tournament details
CountyDerry
Year2025
TrophyJohn McLaughlin Cup
Teams16
Defending championsNewbridge
Winners
ChampionsNewbridge (11th win)
ManagerKevin Brady & Gary Hetherington
CaptainConor McAteer
Runners-up
Runners-upMagherafelt
ManagerGavin Devlin
Promotion/Relegation
Promoted team(s)Glenullin
Relegated team(s)Drumsurn
Other
Player of the YearConor McGrogan
Top ScorerShane McGuigan & Shane Heavron
Websitederrygaa.ie

The 2025 Derry Senior Football Championship was the 104th edition of Derry GAA's premier gaelic football tournament for the top clubs. The sixteen teams who qualified for the 2025 senior championship (14 Senior League teams and 2 Intermediate League teams) are explained in the 'Competition Format' section below.

Newbridge beat Magherafelt 1–17 to 1–15 in an entertaining final[1] in Celtic Park to win their 11th overall Derry Senior Football Championship and their second win in a row. Centre half back Conor McGrogan won Player of the Match in the final

Competition format

2025 Senior Championship The 2025 Senior Championship format was changed from a group stage format to a "Back-Door" rormat.[2] The format was as follows:

  • Round 1 - Open Draw 8v8
    • Round 2A - Round 1 Winner vs Round 1 Winner (Open Draw)
      • Winners of Round 2A straight into quarter final (Pot 1)
    • Round 2B - Round 1 Loser vs Round 1 Loser (Open Draw)
      • Losers of Round 2B into Relegation Playoff Semi Final (Open Draw)
  • Round 3 - Round 2A losers v Round 2B Winners (Pot 2)
  • Quarter Final - Pot 1 v Pot 2
  • Semi Final - Open Draw
  • Final

Clubs in 2025 championship

Club[2] League
Ballinderry Senior League
Ballinascreen Senior League
Banagher Intermediate League
Bellaghy Senior League
Dungiven Senior League
Drumsurn Intermediate League
Faughanvale Senior League
Glen Senior League
Kilrea Senior League
Lavey Senior League
Loup Senior League
Magherafelt Senior League
Newbridge Senior League
Slaughtneil Senior League
Steelstown Senior League
Swatragh Senior League

Round 1

13 August 2025 Round 1 Lavey 4-19 – 1-17 Drumsurn Owenbeg  
7.15pm
Gls: R McGill 2-1, N Toner 1-2 (1f), J Duggan 0-5 (1 tp, 1f), H McGurk 1-1, C O’Kane 0-2 (1 tp), R Mulholland 0-2, J McGurk 0-2, L Regan 0-1 (1 ’45), M McGurk 0-1, N Duggan 0-1, L Murphy 0-1 [3] Gls: T McHugh 1-4, S Murray 0-4 (1 tp), C Friel 0-4 (2 f)D Rafferty 0-2 (1 tp), C Mullan 0-1 (1f), T Wood 0-1, N McNicholl 0-1 (1f) Referee: Harry Tohill


16 August 2025 Round 1 Swatragh 2-18 – 2-21 Loup Owenbeg  
1.00pm
Gls: S Kearney 2-9 (1-5f, 0-2 tpf), P Kearney 0-3 (1tp), F Kearney 0-2 (tp), L McWilliams 0-2, N Coyle and F Coyle 0-1 each [4] Gls: Ciaran Devlin 0-11 (1tp, 1tpf, 2f), Anthony O’Neill 1-3, Caolan Devlin 1-2 (0-1f), A McAlynn 0-2, C Lagan, D Rocks and N Baine 0-1 each Referee: Richie Donoghue


16 August 2025 Round 1 Steelstown 2-27 – 5-13 Faughanvale Owenbeg  
2.45pm
Gls: Callum Deery 1-3, Cahir McMonagle 1-16 (5tp, 1tpf, 2f); Ben McCarron 0-3; Ryan Devine 0-2; Neil Forester 0-1; Eoin Canavan 0-1; Diarmuid Baker 0-1 [5] Gls: Shea Martin 2-1; Eoin McElhinney 1-3 (1pen, 1f); Paddy O'Kane 0-3 (1tp, 1f); Tiernan McFeely 0-1; Jude Bryson 1-3; Conor McGuinness 1-1 (1pen); Aaron Mullan 0-1 Referee: Martin McErlain


16 August 2025 Round 1 Slaughtniel 2-22 – 1-12 Kilrea Owenbeg  
5.30pm
Gls: James Kielt 0-7 (1 tp), Paddy Quigg 1-1, PJ McAleese 0-2 (1 tp), Kevin Quinn 0-1, Tommy Rogers 0-1 [6] Gls: Shane McGuigan 0-10 (1 ’45, 3f, 1 tp), Christopher Bradley 1-3 (2f), Fionn McEldowney 1-0, Chrissy McKaigue 0-2 (1 tp), Brendan Rogers 0-2 (1 tp), Ruairi O Mianain 0-2 (1 tp), Cahal McKaigue 0-1, Shea Cassidy 0-1, Conor Coyle 0-1 Referee: Cianan Canney


31 August 2025 Round 1 Magherafelt 1-22 – 1-13 Ballinascreen Owenbeg  
7.15pm
[7] Referee: Patrick Devlin


17 August 2025 Round 1 Banagher 0.16 – 1-17 Glen Owenbeg  
1.00pm
Gls: Tiarnan Moore 0-10 (1f, 2 tpf), Peter Hagan, Eoin Devine, Eamon Og Feeney, Callum O'Kane 0-1 each [8] Gls: Johnny McGuckin 1-2, Ethan Doherty 0-5 (2 tps), Danny Tallon 0-3f, Jack Doherty, Conor Carville 0-2 each, Conor Convery, Conleth McGuckin 0-1 each Referee: Brendan Quinn


17 August 2025 Round 1 Ballinderry 0-18 – 1-22 Bellaghy Owenbeg  
2.45pm
[9] Referee: Thomas Devlin


17 August 2025 Round 1 Newbridge 0-11 – 2-15 Dungiven Owenbeg  
4.30pm
Gls: Oisin Doherty (tpf, 1f), Conor Doherty (tp) 0-3 each, Paudi McGrogan 0-2, Eamon Young, Conor McAteer, Sean Young 0-1 each [10] Gls: Niall McGonigle 1-9 (6f), Joe Dillon 1-2, Odhran Muphy 0-2 (tp), Conor Murphy, Kevin Johnston 0-1 each Referee: Richie Donoghue


Round 2

Round 2A

29 August 2025 Round 2A Steelstown 2-14 – 1-11 Loup Owenbeg  
7.30pm
[11] Referee: Richie Donoghue


30 August 2025 Round 2A Bellaghy 0-14 – 2-16 Slaughtneil Owenbeg  
7.30pm
[12] Referee: Brendan Quinn


30 August 2025 Round 2A Glen 4-09 – 2-06 Dungiven Owenbeg  
7.30pm
Referee: Cianan Canney


31 August 2025 Round 2A Lavey 1-12 – 3-09 Magherafelt Owenbeg  
4.30pm
Referee: Barry Cassidy


Round 2B

29 August 2025 Round 2B Faughanvale 3-17 – 3-08 Drumsurn Celtic Park (Derry)  
7.30pm
Referee: Damien Harkin


30 August 2025 Round 2B Ballinascreen 2-18 – 1-24 Kilrea Owenbeg  
2.00pm
Referee: Cathal Doherty


31 August 2025 Round 2B Banagher 2-15 – 1-16 Ballinderry Owenbeg  
1.00pm
[13] Referee: Michael Kelly


31 August 2025 Round 2B Newbridge 0-23 – 0-12 Swatragh Owenbeg  
2.45pm
[14] Referee: Caolan Hazlett


Relegation Playoff

Drumsurn conceded the relegation playoff so they were automatically relegated to the Derry Intermediate Football Championship for the 2026 season[15]

Relegation Playoff Drumsurn v Ballinascreen Owenbeg  


Relegation Playoff Swatragh v Ballinderry Owenbeg  


Round 3

13 September 2025 Round 3 Faughanvale 3-11 – 2-20 Bellaghy Owenbeg  
3.00pm
Gls: Paddy O'Kane 0-6 (2tpf, 1f),Shane McElhinney 1-0, Eoin McElhinney 1-1, Jude Bryson 1-0, Conor McGuinness 0-1, Shea Martin 0-1, Kevin Martin 0-1, Jordan Curran 0-1 [16] Gls: Damon Gallagher 1-9 (1tpf, 1f), Oisin McErlean 1-1, Charlie Diamond 0-5 (2f), Dara Doherty 0-2, Declan Cassidy 0-1, Luke Diamond 0-1, Ciaran Chambers 0-1 Referee: Martin McErlaine


13 September 2025 Round 3 Newbridge 1-25 – 1-04 Loup Owenbeg  
4.45pm
Gls: Oisin Doherty 1-7 (1tp, 4f), Sean Young 0-4, Mark Doherty 0-3, Conor McAteer 0-3, Eamon Young 0-3 (1f), Padraig McGrogan 0-2 (1tp), Conor Doherty 0-3 (1tp) [17] Gls: Ciaran Devlin 1-1, Aaron McAlynn 0-2 (1tpf), Adam Canavan 0-1 Referee: Barry Cassidy


14 September 2025 Round 3 Kilrea 0-05 – 1-20 Lavey Owenbeg  
3.00pm
[18] Referee: Richie Donoghue


14 September 2025 Round 3 Banagher 1-18 – 0-17 Dungiven Owenbeg  
4.45pm
[19] Referee: Thomas Devlin


Quarter Final

27 September 2025 Quarter FInal Glen 2-19 – 1-10 Banagher Owenbeg  
5.00pm
[20] Referee: Caolan Hazlett


27 September 2025 Quarter FInal Magherafelt 2-21 – 1-12 Bellaghy Owenbeg  
7.00pm
[21]Highlights[22] Referee: Cianan Canney


28 September 2025 Quarter FInal Slaughtneil 3-13 – 1-15 Lavey Owenbeg  
4.00pm
Gls: Shane McGuigan 1-2, Shea Cassidy 1-1, Cathal O Mianain 1-0, Brendan Rogers 0-2, Ruairi O Mianain 0-2, Meehaul McGrath 0-1, Padraig Cassidy 0-2, Christopher Bradley 0-1, Paul McNeil 0-1, Cormac O'Doherty 0-1 [23] Gls: Niall Toner 0-5 (1tp, 3f), Rory McGill 1-2, Jaimie Duggan 0-2 (1tp), Louis Regan 0-2, (1 tpf), Eamon McGill 0-2, Patrick McGurk 0-1, Ciaran Hendry 0-1 Referee: Barry Cassidy


28 September 2025 Quarter FInal Steelstown 1-12 – 0-18 Newbridge Owenbeg  
6.00pm
Gls: Diarmuid Baker 1-0, Cahir McMonagle 0-8 (4f), Neil Forester 0-1, Shane O'Connor 0-2, Ben McCarron 0-1 (1f) [24] Gls: Conor McAteer 0-4 (1tp), Oisin Doherty 0-3 (2f), Sean Young 0-2, Paudie McGrogan 0-1, Mark McGrogan 0-1, Eamon Young 0-5 (2f), Mark Doherty 0-1, Conleth McGrogan 0-1 Referee: Brendan Quinn


Semi Final

11 October 2025 Semi Final Glen 1-14 – 4-15 Magherafelt Owenbeg  
7.00pm
[25] Referee: Brendan Quinn


12 October 2025 Semi Final Slaughtneil 1-16 – 0-21 Newbridge Owenbeg  
3.00pm
Referee: Martin McErlaine


Final

19 October 2025 Final Magherafelt 1-15 – 1-17 Newbridge Celtic Park (Derry)  
3.30pm
Gls: S Heavron 1-8 (2tpf, 1f), D Higgins (tp), C Murphy 0-2 each, S McGuckin, C Spiers and C McCluskey 0-1 each [1] Gls: C McAteer 0-5 (1tp), O Doherty 0-4 (1tp), Callum McGrogan 1-1, S Young 0-3, P McGrogan 0-2, C Doherty 0-1 and E Young 0-1 each Referee: Brendan Quinn


Championship statistics

Top scorers

Overall[26]
Rank Player Club Total Matches Average
1 Shane Heavron Magherafelt 4-24 5 7.2
2 Shane McGuigan Slaughtniel 4-24 4 9
3 Tiernan Moore Banagher 1-31 4 8.5
4 Cahir McMonagle Steelstown 1-31 4 8.5
5 Oisin Doherty Newbridge 1-26 5 5.8
6 Niall Toner Lavey 2-20 4 6.5
7 Damon Gallagher Bellaghy 2-18 4 6
8 Sean Kearney Swatragh 2-17 3 7.6
9 Conor McAteer Newbridge 0-21 5 4.2
10 Charlie Diamond Bellaghy 0-20 4 5

Most scored in a single game

Overall
Rank Player Club Tally Total Opponent
1 Cahir McMonagle Steelstown 1-16 19 Faughanvale
2 Sean Kearney Swatragh 2-09 15 Loup
3 Tiarnan Moore Banagher 1-10 13 Glen
4 Damon Gallagher Bellaghy 1-09 12 Faughanvale
4 Niall McGonigle Dungiven 1-09 12 Newbridge
5 Shane Heavron Magherafelt 1-08 11 Newbridge

References

  1. ^ a b "Derry Club SFC: Newbridge beat Magherafelt to retain title". BBC Sport. 19 October 2025.
  2. ^ a b "2025 Championship Regulations". derrygaa.ie. June 2025.
  3. ^ Doherty, Steven (20 August 2025). "Dominant Lavey march on in high-scoring game against Drumsurn". www.derrynow.com.
  4. ^ Gunn, Alan (19 August 2025). "Loup dig deep against stubborn Swatragh". www.derrynow.com.
  5. ^ "Steelstown man hits an amazing 1-16 as Brian Ogs defeat Faughanvale in thriller". Derry Journal. 17 August 2025.
  6. ^ Doherty, Steven (20 August 2025). "Slaughtneil always on top in Kilrea victory". www.ireland-live.ie.
  7. ^ "IN PICTURES: Magherafelt comfortably overcome Ballinascreen". www.derrynow.com. 19 August 2025.
  8. ^ McIntyre, Paul (20 August 2025). "McGuckian goal paves the way for Glen". www.derrynow.com.
  9. ^ Archer, Kenny (17 August 2025). "Bellaghy bloodied but unbowed as they ease past young old rivals Ballinderry". The Irish News.
  10. ^ McMullan, Michael (17 August 2025). "Dungiven sweep past champions Newbridge to set up Glen showdown in round two of the O'Neills Derry SFC". The Irish News.
  11. ^ McMullan, Michael (29 August 2025). "Derry SFC: Steelstown into quarter-finals as McGuinness goal sinks Loup". The Irish News.
  12. ^ "Slaughtneil are stepping into their groove as Derry title chase heats up". 1 September 2025 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
  13. ^ "IN PICTURES: Banagher dig deep to overturn 12 point deficit". www.derrynow.com. 1 September 2025.
  14. ^ "IN PICTURES: Reigning champions Newbridge back to winning ways". www.derrynow.com. 1 September 2025.
  15. ^ https://x.com/malmcmullan/status/1962540916507283613
  16. ^ "Damon Gallagher hits 1-09 for Bellaghy as Faughanvale exit championship". Derry Journal. 13 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Newbridge keep Loup scoreless for 51 minutes to advance to senior championship last eight". Derry Journal. 13 September 2025.
  18. ^ "IN PICTURES: Lavey seal their place in the Derry SFC quarter final". www.derrynow.com. 15 September 2025.
  19. ^ "IN PICTURES: Banagher overcome Dungiven to secure their quarter final place". www.derrynow.com. 15 September 2025.
  20. ^ "Glen make Derry semis with 12-point win over Banagher". The Irish News. 28 September 2025.
  21. ^ Loughran, Neil (27 September 2025). "'Tonight was one of those nights where everything we'd worked on came off': Magherafelt issue warning shot with Bellaghy beating". The Irish News.
  22. ^ "Match Highlights | Magherafelt vs. Bellaghy | Derry SFC Quarter Final". 27 September 2025 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "DERRY GAA: Slaughtneil experience crucial as Emmet's hold off Lavey to make last four". Derry Journal. 28 September 2025.
  24. ^ "Newbridge edge out Steelstown at Owenbeg to set up Slaughtneil semi-final". Derry Journal. 28 September 2025.
  25. ^ O'Kane, Cahair (11 October 2025). "Magherafelt's directness blows Glen away as Rossas threaten to reach their potential". The Irish News.
  26. ^ https://x.com/DerryGaels/status/1980018038809223264
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