Lavey inflict a first defeat of the campaign on Bellaghy

O’Neills Senior Football championship Group A 

Lavey 1-12 

Bellaghy 0-5 

LAVEY handed out a first defeat of the campaign to Bellaghy under the lights as they comprehensively saw off their neighbours last night . 

The home side were rampant with Ciaran Hendry outstanding scoring a point while marshalling Paul Cassidy and keeping him scoreless. He wasn’t on his own as Conor Mulholland, Eamon McGill and Rory McGill also turned in outstanding displays. While Lavey excelled, Bellaghy, although missing a number of regulars will be bitterly disappointed with their display, they simply didn’t get to the pace Lavey brought to the game or near the intensity in the tackling. 

The Lavey lads raced three clear inside nine minutes Eamon McGill setting them on their way while Conor Mulholland and Rory McGill also found the target. The Tones had a goal chance when Paul Cassidy set up Damon Gallagher but Jack Scullion was quick off the line to get enough on it for a defender to clear up the rest. 

Charlie Diamond did get them off the mark from a free and then they loas Ronan McFaul to a black card when he halted the run of Niall toner after he had released the ball. Scullion converted the free but Bellaghy with a brace had got back to within two by the 19th minute. McFaul with his second and a Toner free left the home side 0-7 to 0-3 ahead at the break. 

They all but wrapped up the game within a minute of the restart when Eamon McGill rifled home the games only goal. Bellaghy only managed a further two points, both Gallagher frees. Meanwhile Lavey were cutting them open with slick passing and superb movement and support play. Each score greeted by roars from the large support, Hendry’s gaining one of the loudest of the night. Toner added a further three to his name for the night while James McGurk also popped one over. 

Elsewhere Magherafelt continued their 100% start when they defeated Ballinderry 1-15 to 1-8. Shane Heavron hit their goal to help them lead at the midway point 1-6 to 0-4. Ballinderry looking to gain that victory they badly needed did get back to within two points before the Rossa pulled clear with Heavron finishing with 1-8 to his name. 

Lavey: Jack Scullion (0-1, f); Aidan Toner, Conor Mulholland (0-2), Ciaran Hendry (0-1); Jamie Duggan, Eamon McGill (1-1), Ryan Mulholland; Rory McGill (0-1), Kevin O’Neill; Peter Rafferty, James McGurk (0-1), Fintan Bradley; Niall Toner (0-5, 3f), Patrick McGurk. 

Subs: Raymond Duggan, Sedgae Melaugh, Ryan Farren. 

Bellaghy: Peter Stuart; Ronan McFaul, Karl McCallion, Oisin McClafferty; Marc McCleneghan, Odhran Quinn, Declan Cassidy; Oisin McErlean, Keenan Friel; Damon Gallagher (0-2, f), Paul Cassidy, Eoghan Brown (0-1); Charlie Diamond (0-2, f), Christopher Downey, Conan Milne. 

Subs: Peter Cassidy, Luke Diamond, Odhran Lee. 

Referee: Declan O’Connor