Goals from Kearney brothers shoot Swatragh to crucial win against Bellaghy

O’Neill’s Derry SFC Round 6 

Swatragh 2-8

Bellaghy 0-12 

Goals from twin brothers Patrick and Francis Kearney shot Swatragh to victory in Saturday evening’s crucial Group A game at Davitt Park. 

There was a stroke of fortune about Francis Kearney’s goal midway through the second half, when the game was there for the taking, but the home side were full value for their win. 

The manner of their first goal summed up the direct approach they brought to the game. Patrick Kearney cut in from the wing and after slicing through the Bellaghy defence, he fired an unstoppable shot to the net for a 1-3 to 0-3 lead. 

The Davitt’s were still a goal to the good at the break (1-5 to 0-5) but the game turned in the 35th minute. 

Dominic Bradley was correctly black-carded for dragging down Declan Cassidy but can feel aggrieved not have been awarded a free out seconds earlier for a push on the back. 

The home side’s frustrations grew from having to work harder for their frees on occasions.  

The Tones hit two points in the spell when Swatragh were down to 14 players and a 45 from Peter Stuart levelled matters at 1-7 to 0-10. 

Then the game swung again. It was Francis Kearney’s diagonal delivery that was missed by ‘keeper Stuart before sailing all the way to the net to nudge them back in front. 

Bellaghy almost had the ball in the net seconds later when home ‘keeper McGurk spilt a high ball before a Swatragh defender somehow scrambled the ball to safety with claims of a Tones’ penalty falling on deaf ears. 

Peter Cassidy and an eighth Charlie Diamond score left just a point between the sides. 

Swatragh did settle and won some key possessions from Rory McGurk’s kick-outs. One from Patrick Kearney relieved the pressure and another led to Conor McAtamney’s insurance point. 

Bellaghy did toss late balls into the Swatragh defence in search of a winning goal, but Francis Kearney and Anton Tohill catches repelled any danger. 

The result leaves it all to play for next week. Bellaghy need to take something from their final outing against Glen to secure a quarter-final spot. 

For Swatragh, they must win their final game against Lavey to keep themselves in the hunt for a last eight berth.

The other games in the group this weekend take place on Sunday. Glen travel to Ballinascreen (5.30pm) with Lavey hosting Dungiven (3.30pm). 

Swatragh: Rory McGurk; Thomas McKeagney, Sean Martin Quinn, Sean Francis Quinn; Tiarnán Walsh; Dominic Bradley (0-1), Niall Coyle; Francis Kearney (1-1), Conor McAtamney (0-2), Anton Tohill; Niall McAtamney (0-1), Patrick Kearney (1-0), James Friel; Lorcan McWilliams (0-3, 2f), Sean Kearney
Sub: Cahal Murray for J Friel (45) 

Bellaghy: Peter Stuart (0-1 45); James Diamond, Karl McCallion, Odhrán Lee; Conan Milne; Declan Brown, Odhrán Quinn, Marc McClenaghan; Oisin McErlean, Peter Cassidy (0-1); Declan Cassidy, Conleth McShane, Paul Cassidy (0-1); Charlie Diamond (0-8, 7f), Eoghan Brown (0-1f)
Subs: Kealan Friel for O Lee (23), Chrissy Downey for O McErlean (41), Lee Brady for M McClenaghan (49) 

Referee: Gavin Dixon (Craigbane)