AIB Ulster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship final: Lisbellaw (Fermanagh) v Banagher (Derry) (today, Healy Park, 1pm)
NINE years ago, Sean and Ciaran Corrigan were among the goalscorers as Lisbellaw defeated Cloughmills to win the Ulster intermediate title.
The duo remain in the attack as the Fermanagh side take on Derry champions Banagher, a team playing in the club’s first Ulster men’s final in their history and hoping to go one better than their camogs’ recent appearance in a provincial decider.
Banagher are an experienced unit and have contested three Derry senior finals – 2016, 2017 and 2018 - during the recent period of Slaughtneil dominance.
Their spine of their team has represented Derry at senior level – goalkeeper Daryl McDermott, Brian Óg McGilligan, with brothers Ruairi, Darragh and Oisin McCloskey.
Former Derry football star Mark Lynch has been a regular since retiring from the inter-county game.
His older brother Ryan – a stalwart of the club at all levels – stepped in as manager this season. The disappointment on his face after losing to local rival Kevin Lynch’s in the senior semi-final said it all.
But they bounced back to take intermediate honours, courtesy of Derry’s revamped championship structures.
After their win over Lavey, they had a bye into an Ulster semi-final against a fancied Middletown side.
Despite losing Oisin McCloskey to a straight red card midway through the first-half, Banagher managed to lead by a point at the break thanks to a free from man of the match Liam Eoin Campbell before a stoppage time goal from substitute Pauric McCloskey sealed a 1-11 to 0-10 win.
Lisbellaw’s season has been a total contrast. As the only team in the Erne County at this level, they don’t compete in a championship.
With their team spearheading Fermanagh’s path to the Lory Meagher title, it keeps their hurling touch over the winter, combined with many playing club football to help top up their match fitness.
The man tasked with pulling it all is young manager Davey Teague, who was forced out of hurling with a heart condition.
The 25-year-old – along with his brothers Matthew ad Daniel - was part of Fermanagh side that won the 2015 Lory Meagher Cup.
With the club in need of a manager and with his playing career at and end, he stepped up to the plate and has taken them to within reach of a second Ulster title.
In their opening game with Newry Shamrocks goals from Tom Keenan, Ciaran Corrigan and Daniel Teague set them up with a semi-final clash with Carrickmore.
Ryan Porteous was a rock in defence against the Tyrone side and after they settled in the game, John Duffy’s frees helped settle Lisbellaw into the game. And once they hit the front, they never looked back.
They did need a penalty save from Mark Curry to pour any water on Carrickmore’s chances of a comeback and their 1-17 to 0-10 win was statement that will have perked up the Banagher ears in recent weeks.
For the last nine years, Lisbellaw failed to win a championship game and now they have won games back-to-back.
Today’s task will be their greatest of the season, against a Banagher team with a spirited defence that could help the Derry men to a first title.
