Local hurling fans are in for a treat tonight in Armoy when Derry and Ulster Champions Slaughtneil take on Loughgiel in the final of the McAuley Cup at 7.30 pm

With all of the county commitments out of the way all clubs are well into their preparations for the club championship and Slaughtneil boss Michael McShane and his Loughgiel counterpart Johnny Campbell will see this as an ideal way to up the tempo of those preparations.

Loughgiel are the current holders of the McAuley Cup having beaten Slaughtneil in last year’s final which was played in June.

The tournament is held annually in memory of Paddy McAuley who is credited with being the man who started hurling in Armoy back in the 1960s.