Football

Late point saves champions Slaughtneil against Magherafelt

Slaughtneil players celebrate Paul Bradley's equalising point in the final seconds of extra-time against Magherafelt at Owenbeg on Sunday night<br />Picture: Margaret McLaughlin&nbsp;
Slaughtneil players celebrate Paul Bradley's equalising point in the final seconds of extra-time against Magherafelt at Owenbeg on Sunday night
Picture: Margaret McLaughlin 
Slaughtneil players celebrate Paul Bradley's equalising point in the final seconds of extra-time against Magherafelt at Owenbeg on Sunday night
Picture: Margaret McLaughlin 

M&L Contracts Derry Senior Football Championship

Slaughtneil 1-16 Magherafelt 0-19


UlSTER and Derry champions Slaughtneil were seconds away from relinquishing both crowns at Owenbeg on Sunday night. But Paul Bradley was the Emmett’s hero, snatching the equalising point with the last kick of the game to earn the All-Ireland finalists a replay.

Slaughtneil got off to a great start and were 1-6 to no score ahead after 10 minutes, a fifth minute goal by Ronan Bradley followed by points from Christopher Bradley, Sé McGuigan and Padraig Cassidy.

However, Magherafelt clawed their way back into the game and five pointed frees plus one from play from Shane Heavern brought the sides even In the final minute, Emmet McGuckin put Rossa’s 0-10 to 1-6 ahead.

The second half was played out at a ferocious pace, with end to end football and scores galore as the sides traded scores. In added time Christopher Bradley pointed to the level the scores but then Anton McElhone scuffed a close range shot that could have won the game. 

Moments later Emmet McGuckin raced through but fisted wide with the posts at his mercy. That meant the game went into extra-time, the sides again level at the end of the first period. 

In the second period, Shane Heavern and Shea Murphy pointed frees to put Rossas two ahead. Then Christopher Bradley and Paul Bradley from a free tied the scores once again.

With time running out, Danny Heavern seemed to have won the game for Magherafelt but with the last kick of the game Paul Bradley pointed a 45 free to force a replay.

Ballinderry 3-13 Glenullin 1-12


THE second game at Owenbeg last night started in sensational fashion with Raymond Wilkinson netting in the third minute, Conleith Gilligan  then pointing a free, the first of his five pointed frees in a first half haul of 0-6.

Twelve minutes from time Paddy Bradley drilled the ball to the net to put Glenullin in front for the first time at 1-3 to 1-2. In the 19th minute, Glenullin’s Eamon McNicholl was black carded, the same fate befalling Brian Mullan moments later. Then Tarlach Bradley, who had already picked up a yellow, was black carded and then shown the red card.

The half ended with Ballinderry 1-6 to 1-2 ahead.

Ballinderry were able to use James Bateson as a sweeper in the second half and from there they controlled the game, Bateson taking a pass from Gilligan to score the second goal in the 39th minute, substitute Lee Marti adding a third in the closing minutes. Paddy Bradley finished top scorer for Glenullin with 1-7, of which 0-6 came from frees. 

Kilrea 1-10 Dungiven 0-12


THE crowd of over 1,500 at Owenbeg would have left decidedly disappointed about the fare on show, although Kilrea will not be unduly concerned as they are safely into the quarter-finals in what was a foul ridden and sometimes spiteful game.

Kilrea’s Dermot McWilliams got a seventh minute ‘black card’ but two pointed James Kielt frees,either side of an Eoin Rogers point, gave the Pearse’s an early advantage. Ryan McElhinney scored twice for Dungiven but that was Dungiven’s lot for the first half.

Kilrea’s Declan McAlary was stretchered off after an accidental collision, Eamon Darragh also forced out of the game in the closing minutes of the half though injury.

In the final minutes Liam Hinphey was black carded, Dungiven’s Sean Murray then red carded as tempers became frayed.

Kilrea looked home and hosed, 1-8 to 0-3 ahead in the 36th minute, but Dungiven mounted a spirted comeback, hitting six unanswered points. however, the Pearse’s managed to hold on.

Lavey 4-6 Loup 2-7


THERE was a veritable goalfest in the opening half of this entertaining clash in Ballinascreen on Saturday, the sides finding the net on five occasions.

Cailean O’Boyle and Terence O’Brien were among the early point scorers, while Niall Toner grabbing the first goal in the 13th minute to put Lavey 1-2 to 0-1 ahead. However, Lavey were rocked in the 19th minute when Brian Doyle and Roddy O’Kane scored majors for Loup to open up a 2-3 to 1-2 lead.

Lavey hit back with a vengeance with goals from Anthony McGurk and Cailean O’Boyle to lead 3-2 to 2-4 at half time, Loup’s Ciaran Devlin hitting the bar from a late first half penalty.

The game was in the melting pot throughout the second half but a fourth Lavey goal minutes from the end ensured that the Gulladuff side would get direct passage to the quarter-finals.

Banagher 0-11 Glen 2-4


FOUR minutes into added time at the end of an uneventful game Banagher ’keeper Darrell McDermott struck a 40 metre free sweetly between the posts to grab victory.

Ciarán McFaul’s third minute point was Glen’s only score of the first half, while Banagher registered 0-5. A Danny Tallon goal in 38th minute cut the Banagher lead to 0-8 to 1-2 but Glen then had Oisin Hegarty dismissed.

A 47th minute goal from John McCamley was then followed by points from McCamley and Ryan Winton to level matters. McDermott stole the show at the end with the winning point and a stunning save from Emmet Bradley.

Swatragh 2-6 Newbridge 1-8


SWATRAGH did most of their work in the first half to earn a one-point victory voer Newbridge.

The Davitt’s led 2-3 to 0-5 at the break and, while Newbridge did hit back to take the lead after half-time, Swatragh managed to hold them off for the win.

MATCH STATS


Lavey scorers: C O’Boyle (2-3), N Toner (1-2), A McGurk (1-1), K O’Neill, C Henry, S Dodds (0-1 each).


Loup scorers: B Doyle (1-1), R O’Kane (1-0), T O’Brien (0-2), J Rocks, M McVey (0-1 each).

Kilrea scorers: P McNeill (1-2), J Kielt (0-4), T Rafferty (0-2), E Rogers, G McLaughlin (0-1 each).


Dungiven scorers: R McElhinney (0-6), C Murphy (0-3), J McNicholl, S O’Neill, C McKeever (0-1 each).

Banagher scorers: G O’Neill (0-5), M Lynch, G O’Neill (0-2 each), D McDermott (0-1).


Glen scorers: J McCamley, D Tallon (1-1 each), C McFaul, C Glass, R Winton (0-1 each).

Swatragh scorers: F Kearney (1-2), own goal (1-0), P McAtamney, B Diamond (0-2).


Newbridge scorers: K Sweeney (1-1), N Rocks (0-3), M Bateson (0-2), C Brooks, E Burke (0-1 each).