TWO first-half goals from Gerard Bradley put reigning champions Slaughtneil on their way to a 2-20 to 0-13 win over Lavey in the final round of Derry SHC group games yesterday.
Ryan McGill – who scored 0-11 for Lavey – grabbed two early points before Cormac O’Doherty hit the Emmets’ opener.
Bradley bagged two well-finished majors with Lavey goalkeeper Eoin Mulholland also saving brilliantly from O’Doherty in the first half.
With Slaughtneil leading 2-13 to 0-5 the break, goalscorer Bradley was replaced. O’Doherty was also called ashore with Conor McAllister making his return from injury.
McGill was unerring from frees but it wasn’t enough to reel the visitors in.
Banagher booked second spot in Group B thanks to their 1-18 to 0-12 win in Ballinascreen that came courtesy of a strong finish.
Brian McGilligan’s side were two points up with as many minutes remaining before Banagher substitute Oisin McCloskey hit the net to stretch the advantage.
Banagher were 0-11 to 0-6 ahead at half-time despite playing into the wind with Darragh Cartin landing six points.
Paul Cleary (four) and James McDaid hit scores for ‘Screen in the third quarter but they were never able to get level.
Leading 0-14 to 0-12, McCloskey sealed the deal for Banagher, who also tagged on three late scores.
Goals from Kevin McAllister, Fintan McGurk and top-scorer Sean Martin Quinn saw Swatragh clinch top spot in Group A following a 3-18 to 0-9 win at home to Na Magha.
The victory edges the Davitt’s ahead of Kevin Lynch’s on scoring difference after the sides drew earlier in the campaign.
It was McAllister’s goal, midway through the first half, that helped Swatragh go 1-9 to 0-4 ahead at half-time.
Quinn and McGurk both raised the green flag with James Friel landing five points to help their scoring difference.
Three goals from Richie Mullan in a 5-18 to 1-5 win at home to Eoghan Rua ensured Kevin Lynch’s maintained their unbeaten record despite finishing in second spot.
That sets up a semi-final clash with Slaughtneil later this month.
The losers of the senior semi-finals will contest the intermediate final with the remaining four teams – Ballinascreen, Lavey, Coleraine and Na Magha – featuring in the junior semi-finals.
Semi-finals (dates and venues TBC)
Slaughtneil v Kevin Lynch’s
Swatragh v Banagher
