Errigal Derry Senior Championship Final: Steelstown Brian Ogs (holders) 2-11 Glen 0-3
STEELSTOWN claimed their fourth consecutive Derry senior county title with a comfortable victory over Glen in Saturday afternoon’s final in Foreglen.
The defending champions certainly had learned their lesson after losing to Glen in the first round robin group and they came into this decider determined not to be caught twice.
Glen, appearing in their first county final since 2016, will look back with disappointment knowing they they did not turn up on the day, especially after performances witnessed on their path to the final. It’s also very difficult to beat the same team twice in the one championship year.
Steelstown had their homework done and while Glen enjoyed a lot of possession, the City girls kept them out of the scoring zone and gave them little time on the ball.
When Steelstown turned them over or launched their own attacks from goalkeeper Molly McBride’s kick out, the moved at pace and with forwards like Orla McGeough, who finished with seven points and picked up the player-of-the-match award, Ciara McGurk and Megan Devine, they had score-getters.
Glen opened the scoring with a point from Clare McGroggan after patiently holding possession from the throw-in for 95 seconds.
Steelstown were in front by the ninth minute courtesy of two McGeough points from frees and when they found the back of the net from the penalty spot, the kick despatched by Emma Doherty, in the 14th minute, that was all the space they needed to ensure there was no way back for Glen.
The penalty, a questionable decision around charging, was a blow for Glen with the goal a crucial turning point in the game.
The second goal arrived soon after, Devine fisting across the goal for McGurk to palm home, finishing a slick move that started from a McBride kick out. McGeough (free) and Devine added further points as Steelstown moved nine clear after 21 minutes.
At the other end, Glen almost snatched a goal when a delivery from Sarah Darragh wasn’t dealt with by McBride but they failed to make it count.
Annie Ni Lochlainn converted a free for Glen but McGeough, with her fourth of the half, left it 2-5 to 0-2 at half-time in favour of the defending champions.
Steelstown continued to control the game after the resumption, McGeough (free) and Dara McKeever tagging on points, McGeough again, Devine with a fisted effort and full back and joint captain Aoife McGough making it five without reply.
Glen went close through Caoimhe Kirkpatrick but couldn’t find the back of the net, atypical of the south Derry side’s day. McGeough finished up Steelstown’s scoring with a free as did Ni Lochlainn to get Glen’s only score of the half as Steelstown made it four in-a-row.
They will now face Omagh St Enda’s this Saturday in the Ulster intermediate club championship quarter-final.
