Lough 41 Championship fixtures announced

The second tier is as competitive as it has ever been as Newry City lifted the Championship trophy in April to take their place back in the top-flight, with derby rivals Warrenpoint Town passing them on the way down.

North Belfast giant-killers Newington take their place in the twelve team division and will be keen to make their mark having won the Premier Intermediate League last term.

Mirroring the Premiership, the Championship clubs will undertake a marathon 38 game season starting on Saturday 13 August with 33 regular season games before the ‘split’ at the end of March to decide the business end of the campaign.

The reward for the winners of the Lough 41 Championship will be a place in the 2023/2024 Premiership, and runners-up will qualify for a two-legged playoff against the eleventh placed team in the top division for a shot a promotion.

Newington’s first outing in the Championship will be against Dergview at Solitude on the opening day of the campaign - with fellow newcomers Warrenpoint Town starting their journey on the road to Loughgall.

Last season’s runners-up Annagh United host Knockbreda at the BMG Arena, with Ballinamallard United travelling to Ballyclare Comrades.

Dundela kick off their campaign at home to Institute whilst down the road HW Welders will start their first full season at the Blanchflower Stadium against Matthew Tipton’s Ards.

Fixtures for the eagerly anticipated Danske Bank Premiership schedule will finally be revealed on Saturday 18 June at noon.

Opening Gameweek Fixtures

Saturday 20 August 2022

Annagh United v Knockbreda

Ballyclare Comrades v Ballinamallard United

Dundela v Institute

HW Welders v Ards

Loughgall v Warrenpoint Town

Newington v Dergview