Small & Hyland Derry IFC final: Castledawson 0-15 Steelstown 1-11
Castledawson repeated their 2010 success over Steelstown, a one-point victory this time securing the title in yesterday’s thrilling Derry IFC final at Ownbeg.
Deep into added time, with his side clinging to a one-point lead, Castledawson centre-back Paddy Henry had possession deep into Steelstown territory. He tried for a clinching score but played the ball straight to keeper Martin Dunne and allowed Steelstown a last-gasp search for an equalising score.
Steelstown had seemed to have earned a chance to tie the game when Mickey McKinney was held as he burst through Keenan’s tackle. However, as Keenan held on to McKinney’s leg, the latter stamped down on Keenan’s hand and was promptly shown a red card, Steelstown also losing the free and the last chance to get an equalising score.
Steelstown looked to be edging the first half when they took a three-point lead in the 20th minute after a stunning Neil Forester goal in the 10th putt them 1-2 to 0-3 in front.
However, Castledawson came back strongly to level the scores, 0-9 to 1-6, by the break, the sides still all square in the 45th minute at 0-12 to 1-9 then seemingly heading for a replay at 0-13 to 1-10 with added time beckoning. But it was not to be. Delight once again for Castledawson, desolation once again for Steelstown as Neil McNicholl hoisted the Sheridan, Bateson, Lee Cup aloft.
Castledawson: C Scullion (0-5, 0-4 frees), R Shivers (0-1), N McNicholl (0-5 frees); C Taggart (0-1), A Keenan (0-2), K O’Kane (0-1) Steelstown: R McCloskey (0-1), N Forester (1-0), G Logue (0-1), M McKinney (0-2), O Sweeney (0-1); P Ferris (0-1), M Foley (0-4, 0-2 frees), E Bradley (0-1)
