Ballinascreen 0-9 Lavey 1-10
A LATE goal from Ryan Mulholland shot Lavey to their first win of their Derry SFC campaign against Ballinascreen on Friday night in Owenbeg.
It was goal made by the piercing run from impressive midfielder Rory McGill before Mulholland blasted home.
The sides were level at half-time, 0-5 all, and the sides went 12 minutes without a score at 0-7 each before Jamie Duggan gave Lavey a 51st-minute lead which they never lost.
Lavey led for much of the opening half before fine scores from John Boyle (2), Noel Rafferty and Philip Bradley helped ‘Screen to level matters at the break.
Ballinascreen did breathe a sigh of relief when Fintan Bradley’s goal chance came off the bottom of the post in the 22nd minute.
It was the running of Ciaran Hendry that had Lavey on the front foot but they looked like rueing four consecutive wides in the third quarter.
Niall Toner’s run led to a foul on Segdae Melaugh and Toner kicked fifth of the game.
Then game the killer goal. McGill ran nearly three-quarters of the field at full pace before Mulholland applied the finish.
John Boyle did kick his fifth point but it wasn’t enough for Ballinascreen who still await their first win.
Scorers:
Lavey: Niall Toner 0-6, (5f), Ryan Mulholland 1-0, Rory McGill 0-2, Jamie Duggan and Patrick McGurk 0-1
Ballinascreen: John Boyle 0-5, Noel Rafferty 0-2,Philip Bradley, and Antain Donnelly 0-1
SOMETHING has to give this evening as Magherafelt and Newbridge take their 100 per cent records to Owenbeg.
It’s repeat of last year’s semi-final, which was won by Magherafelt.
This time the stakes are not so high, other than a chance to top the group. The top four of the six teams in each group advance to the quarter-finals.
Magherafelt were winners over Steelstown and Lavey, despite being without Derry duo Odhrán Lynch and Conor McCluskey. Shane Heavron has been their star man in attack and will be a marked man.
Brothers Conor and Oisin Doherty have been scoring well for the ‘Bridge, who will see this as a barometer after their comfortable win over Loup.
The first game at Owenbeg will see Loup and Steelstown go head-to-head with more at stake.
Former player Declan McVey stepped in as Loup manager midway through the season. They struggled with Newbridge’s pace and power, relying on Caolan Devlin for scores.
Steelstown were winners over Ballinascreen, with Ryan Devine in fine form at midfield.
They’ll have to plan without Ben McCarron, who dislocated his shoulder in the early stages of Donegal Boston’s final win.
Derry defender Diarmuid Baker will take his experience into the club arena for the Brian Ógs. Cahir McMonagle and Callum Deery could form an inside duo that will test Loup’s rearguard.
Earlier in the day, Slaughtneil will be aiming for a third successive win when they travel to league champions Kilrea.
James Kielt was the Pearses’ main man in defeat to Dungiven and they’ll face Mark Doran’s Slaughtneil team, who have found form early in the campaign.
Brothers Gearoid, Daithi and Peadar McLaughlin all line out for Kilrea, but they’ll be without the injured Conor Gillen.
Aside from their county trio of Shane McGuigan, Chrissy McKaigue and Brendan Rogers, Slaughtneil have unearthed some new blood.
Brothers Shea and Eamon Cassidy, former county minors Cahal McKaigue, Conor Coyle and Fionn McEldowney offered a freshness that laced their win over Swatragh.
The Emmets will be fancied to keep their winning run going, with top spot in the group now the focus.
Reigning champions Glen take on Swatragh tomorrow evening at Davitt Park.
They could be without Ciaran McFaul, who picked up an injury late in their win at Bellaghy.
Conor Glass made a return to action as Malachy O’Rourke’s side put their earlier defeat to Slaughtneil behind them.
A hallmark of Glen’s three Derry title wins has been how they’ve improved as they went deeper into the competition.
Swatragh asked them plenty of questions last year but they’ll have to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Slaughtneil.
With limited supply from their own kick-out, it was a struggle to make any inroads into the game and it’s something Glen focus on, so it will be a central part of this encounter.
Also tomorrow, Dungiven welcome Bellaghy to O’Cahan Park for a game that will help shape the makeup of the group.
With Glen and Slaughtneil tipped to take two of the quarter-final spots, there is plenty at stake here.
Bellaghy’s late surge gave Glen food for their thought and they hit a late goal to see off Kilrea.
Conleth McShane and Charlie Diamond led the scoring for Damian Cassidy’s side. Derry’s Paul Cassidy will have a central role but the Tones were without injured Derry player Declan Cassidy last time out.
Kevin Johnston and Donal McGilligan are the experienced players in a Dungiven side who have blooded plenty of youth in recent seasons.
They’ll be tested against a Bellaghy side who don’t give much away.
