PROMOTION FOR CLUBS

Moneyslane appear to be the biggest winners, having had their application to the Intermediate divisions conditionally accepted, while Donacloney have been promoted from Division Four to Division Three.

Slane will ground share with Banbridge Town at Crystal Park and they would like to thank the Mid-Ulster for their acceptance into the Intermediate Status and also thank the Town’s committee for the use of their premises and ground as well as Banbridge District Council also for all their hard work to help secure the use of the pitch.

It’s a new era for Slane who have gained promotion three years in a row from Division Four, winning Division Three two years ago and taking Division Two last seasonin a nail biting finish, overhauling their nearest and fiercest rivals to the top of the table in the last game of the season.

Slane manager Glen Moffett and his assistant John Kernaghan are excited about the new move and are working hard behind the scenes in preparation for the new season and a new venture.

Meanwhile Donacloney’s joint manager, Gary Knox, said that he was delighted that his club was going to make the jump up this term.

He said that this could be the incentive players need to join what he describes as a “progressive club.”

“We played well this season,” he added. “We went on a run of losing five games in the first two months to then only lose one game for rest of season. We also reached a cup final to be beat by fellow promoted side Celtic Club on penalties.

“We should have a squad capable of competing and would hope to use this opportunity to continue a push up the divisions. I would encourage players to join a forward thinking and forward moving club.”

The changes implemented by the MUFL’s Management Committee see each of its divisions revert to 12 team leagues with the four junior leagues remaining.

However a new Reserve Championship has been created for teams currently in membership who are Reserve teams of IFA Championship teams, like Banbridge Town Reserves, plus reserve teams of intermediate teams, currently in membership who had teams competing in other leagues during the 2010/11 season, such as Rathfriland Swifts. The full list of teams is yet to be confirmed by the MUFL.

Also the reserve league has been extended to four divisions, however once again due to the Dollingstown/Tandragee Rovers situation the make-up of these is yet to be confirmed.

Meanwhile Gilford Crusaders and Scarva Rangers will remain in Division Two of the Mid Ulster League.