Football

O’Neills Derry SFC: Glen to face Lavey in quarter-finals as Ballinascreen squeeze through

Glen ran out 3-9 to 0-12 winners over Steelstown in the fifth round

Glen’s Eunan Mulholland and Donal McGilligan of Dungiven
Glen were without Eunan Mulholland as they eased past Steelstown to advance to the quarter-finals of the Derry SFC, where they face Lavey. Picture Margaret McLaughlin (MARGARET MCLAUGHLIN PHOTOGRAPHY )

ALL-IRELAND champions Glen will face Lavey in the last eight of the Derry Senior Football Championship next month.

Second-half goals from Ethan Doherty (2), Johnny McGuckian and Alex Doherty saw them come from four points down at the break in their 4-15 to 1-15 win over Kilrea.

The Watties were without Conor Glass, Eunan Mulholland and Ciaran McFaul but there was a return for Danny Tallon.

Goals were also the currency for Lavey as they ran out 3-9 to 0-12 winners over Steelstown.

In a game with plenty of long-range scores, the Erin’s Own side came from two down early on to lead 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time with Niall Toner, Fintan Bradley Declan Hughes and Ryan Mulholland among the scorers.

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Ryan Devine tied the game for the second and final time before Lavey struck for their first goal. Ryan Mulholland and Patrick McGurk were both involved before Naithan Scullion drilled low to the net for a 1-6 to 0-6 lead.

Cahir McMonagle and Neil Forester led the Steelstown charge back into the game until Lavey killed the game in stoppage time. Segdae Melaugh bagged their second goal before Niall Duggan added the third.

Benny Heron will continue to play for Ballinascreen after announcing his inter-county retirement Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Ballinascreen managed to secure the final Derry SFC quarter-final spot with a win against Newbridge with the help of a goal from Benny Heron (pictured). Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

Ballinascreen nicked the final quarter-final spot from Group B with their 2-15 to 0-11 win over an understrength Newbridge already through in first place.

Goals from Benny Heron and Jack Conway – who bagged 1-4 – were the key scorers while Peter McGrogan top scored for the ‘Bridge with 0-3.

The result left Loup needing to avoid defeat home to Magherafelt to advance after they drew with ‘Screen who had a superior score difference.

Caolan Devlin – who hit 2-7 last week against Lavey - was forced off injured after five minutes.

His brother Ciaran scored three points for Loup but it wasn’t enough as Magherafelt won a low-scoring game (0-7 to 0-5) with Cormac Murphy, Shane and Danny Heavron among their scorers.

Slaughtneil – who had Padraig Cassidy back in action - were 0-10 to 0-8 winners over a Dungiven team who pushed Glen all the way seven days earlier.

Christopher Bradley scored three points for Mark Doran’s side who came back from two points down at half-time. The sides were level with three minutes remaining before Bradley and Peter McCullagh kicked the final two scores.