The countdown is on to the start of the new Lough 41 Championship season on Monday evening at Antrim Castle Gardens.

The league was officially launched at Diana’s Tearooms in the beautiful setting of the historic castle grounds as twelve clubs prepare to take to the field in search of glory this weekend.

As part of the launch NIFL announced that selected games throughout the Lough 41 Championship and Lough 41 Premier Intermediate campaigns will be live streamed through the league’s online channels as part of a pilot project to increase the awareness and exposure of the divisions.

Gerard Lawlor, NIFL Chief Executive said; “We’re delighted to see the return of the Lough 41 Championship this weekend and look forward to another hugely competitive campaign on the pitch!

“We’re always keen to grow all our leagues and our announcement tonight that we will be live streaming games within both the Championship and Premier Intermediate League is a really exciting development and will be benefit both clubs and fans as we grant greater access to live action.”

Play gets underway in the Lough 41 Championship this Saturday (12 August) with the first six games of a gruelling 38 game campaign with a place in the top-flight at stake for the winners.

Warrenpoint Town re-join the division which they successfully won in 2018 after their relegation from the Premiership, they travel to Loughgall on the opening day. Newington will make bow in senior football at Solitude against Dergview, having clinched the Premier Intermediate League title in April.

Last season’s runners-up Annagh United host Knockbreda at the BMG Arena on Saturday and Ballinamallard United travel to Ballyclare Comrades. In the other games, Dundela take on Institute at Wilgar Park and HW Welders start their campaign against Ards at home.