The Boyle Sports Championship enters a new era this season.
With the division expanding from 12 to 16 teams, there are more clubs, more fixtures and more opportunities than ever before. Relegated Glenavon will be desperate to bounce straight back to the Premiership, while Annagh United hope to finally go one better after another heartbreaking play-off defeat. Behind them, several established Championship clubs will fancy their chances of challenging near the top, while four promoted sides add further intrigue to what promises to be one of the most competitive campaigns in recent memory.
Annagh United
Few teams will be as motivated as Annagh United this season. Ciaran McGurgan’s side suffered more play-off heartbreak after losing on penalties to Crusaders, meaning another near miss in their pursuit of Premiership football. Having strengthened with the addition of Ryan McNickle following his successful loan spell at Limavady United, Annagh once again look well equipped to challenge. The play-offs have become all too familiar at Tandragee Road – this year, they will hope to avoid them altogether by winning the title.
Ards
After finishing eighth last season, Ards will be targeting a return to the top half. John Bailie has assembled a balanced squad containing both experienced campaigners and promising young players, and that blend could prove valuable across an expanded Championship campaign. Greater consistency will be the key if they are to climb the table.
Armagh City
Armagh City were spared relegation following the league’s expansion after finishing bottom and conceding a worrying 112 league goals last season. Defensive improvement will be essential if they are to avoid another difficult campaign, but there is optimism surrounding a youthful squad that still has room to develop. Staying clear of the bottom places would represent significant progress.
Ballinamallard United
Consistency has become the story of Ballinamallard United in recent seasons – although perhaps not the kind they would have wanted. Finishes of 10th, 9th, 9th and 10th suggest a club capable of more. Mark Stafford will hope the return of Ryan Mayse from Portadown provides the spark needed to push the Ducks into the top half this season.
Dundela
Dundela will feel they underachieved after finishing 11th last season. There is considerably more quality in the squad than that position suggests, with experienced players such as Aaron Hogg, Andy Hall and Kyle Owens joined by exciting young striker Kenzie Beattie from Linfield. Former Bangor forward Matthew Ferguson also adds proven Championship quality, giving the Duns every chance of climbing the table.
Glenavon
Few clubs begin the season carrying greater expectation than Glenavon. Relegation from the Premiership was a bitter disappointment, despite Michael O’Connor’s efforts to steady the ship after a difficult start to last season. With much of their Premiership squad retained, alongside exciting additions including Ethan Devine and Jude Johnson, the Lurgan Blues will rightly start as favourites for promotion. Peter Campbell remains the key figure in attack, and anything less than a serious title challenge would be viewed as a disappointment.
H&W Welders
Third place represented another strong campaign for H&W Welders, although they still finished some distance behind the top two. The core of the squad remains intact, with experienced figures such as Daniel Kearns continuing to lead the way, while the return of Josh Kee strengthens an already competitive side. Backed by one of the strongest academy structures in the Championship, the Welders will once again expect to challenge near the top.
Institute
Institute quietly enjoyed a respectable campaign last season, finishing seventh, and Peter Hutton has continued to strengthen his squad. Tiernan Brolly arrives on loan from Coleraine, while tying down influential midfielder Liam Mullan could prove one of the club’s most important pieces of business. Captain Evan Tweed will again be central as ‘Stute look to push towards the play-off places.
Loughgall
After relegation from the Premiership, Loughgall would have expected to mount a stronger promotion challenge than sixth place. There is still plenty of quality within the squad, with experienced names such as Ross Glendinning, Reece Glendinning and Dougie Wilson providing a strong foundation. Improvement will be expected this season as the Villagers look to re-establish themselves among the Championship’s leading clubs.
Moyola Park
Confidence will be high after Moyola Park secured promotion as Intermediate League champions. Marty Smith has retained the core of that title-winning squad while strengthening intelligently. Former Cliftonville midfielder Callum McCay and Crusaders defender Brendan Hamilton add youthful quality, while the signing of experienced midfielder Josh Carson could prove invaluable. Keeping hold of last season’s Player of the Year David Parkhouse may be the biggest boost of all.
Newington
Newington were one of last season’s surprise packages, finishing an impressive fourth. With Declan O’Hara now at the helm and the club returning to north Belfast at Solitude, another top-half finish would represent another excellent campaign. Jay Donnelly remains one of the Championship’s standout attacking players, while Noel Healy adds further experience to the back line.
Newry City
Back in the Championship after promotion from the Premier Intermediate League, Newry City will hope this spell in the second tier lasts much longer than their previous one. Stuart King’s side have strengthened with the impressive signing of defender Caolan Marron from Dungannon Swifts and will believe they have enough quality to compete comfortably at this level.
Queen’s University
Queen’s University exceeded expectations with a fifth-place finish last season. As always, the Students possess one of the youngest squads in the division, but their energy, organisation and technical quality make them difficult opponents. Replicating last season’s finish would represent another outstanding campaign.
Rathfriland Rangers
Another of the newly-promoted clubs, Rathfriland Rangers enter the Championship with optimism. A healthy blend of youth and experience has served them well in recent years, and adapting quickly to the higher level will be their biggest challenge. If they settle early, they could prove more competitive than many expect.
Strabane Athletic
Strabane Athletic announced themselves to many supporters last season by defeating Loughgall in the League Cup and pushing Cliftonville all the way in another memorable cup tie. Combined with North-West Senior Cup success, it was a campaign to remember. Losing Oisin Duffy to Limavady United is a setback, but the arrival of defender Ciaran Coll from Glentoran is an eye-catching piece of business as they prepare for Championship football.
Warrenpoint Town
A ninth-place finish represented a fairly average season for Warrenpoint Town, but the club has built a reputation for consistently outperforming expectations. Much of last season’s squad remains together, while bringing striker Adam Carroll back from Cliftonville adds further attacking quality. If they can rediscover their consistency, Warrenpoint are more than capable of climbing the table.
