Leadon Timber Frame Derry SHC/IHC play-offs
Slaughtneil 0-22 Dungiven 0-14
REIGNING champions Slaughtneil remain on course for a 12th successive Derry hurling title after victory over Dungiven.
They were without key attacker Cormac O’Doherty, but nine points from Jack Cassidy helped Slaughtneil on their way.
Shane McGuigan landed four points as the Slaughtneil long-range shooting helped them into a 0-14 to 0-7 interval lead.
It was Darragh McGilligan who opened the scoring, the only time Dungiven led in the game.
The sides were level three times in the first 13 minutes before Jack Cassidy gave Slaughtneil a lead they never lost.
When Ruairí Ó Mianáin and Eamon Cassidy put them 0-6 to 0-3 lead, they never looked back.
Dungiven got to within five points in the middle of the second half but will rue a host of wides when they needed to make a greater dent in the deficit.
In a feisty game, Dungiven failed to take any of their goal chances as goalkeeper Oisin O’Doherty always had the answers.
Their best goal chance with seven minutes to go when a chance was robbed brilliant by the flick of goalkeeper O’Doherty’s hurl.
It was the last chance to turn the tide before the champions tagged on late scores.
Banagher 2-10 Swatragh 0-10
IN Sunday’s first game, goals from Oisin McCloskey and Niall Biggs were the difference as a defensively sound Banagher booked a first final spot since 2018.
They led by two points at the break, but never looked like conceding the goal Swatragh needed to flip the game on its head.
Banagher settled first despite facing a tough breeze to lead 0-3 to 0-0 with scores from Ciaran Lynch, Niall Biggs and Darragh Carin before Cathal Quinn’s eighth minute opener for Swatragh.
James Friel and Tiarnan Walsh landed two scores from inside their own half to level matters.
It was point for point until just before half-time when Banagher nosed in front with a second Ciaran Lynch point.
Biggs then hit the first Banagher goal only for Sean Martin Quinn and Oisin O’Kane to reply with points for Swatragh to make the interval score 1-6 to 0-7.
After an even third quarter a brilliant team move was finished off by Oisin McCloskey for a second goal, making the score 2-8 to 0-8.
Gabriel Farren and Jack Lynch’s defending was of the highest order to close out Swatragh.
On the two occasions Swatragh got inside, Darrel McDermott denied Sean Martin Quinn while PJ O’Connell’s shot whizzed over the bar after Sean Francis Quinn cut through the cover.
Banagher subs Liam Eoin Campbell and Sean McCullagh added points to seal victory.
