Newbridge denied win late on, but still go through to quarterfinals

O’Neill’s Derry SFC Round 7

Newbridge 0-15

Magherafelt 2-9

A '45 from goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch with the last kick of the game that saw Magherafelt maintain their unbeaten run at Newbridge on Saturday afternoon.

The draw was enough for Newbridge to seal third spot and a place in next weekend’s quarter-finals.

Despite the wet conditions, both teams served up an excellent game of football with momentum changing across the hour.

The ‘Bridge were out of the blocks with a Declan McKeever point and he won a free for Conor Doherty to kick the first of two early frees to open a 0-3 to 0-0 lead.

An excellent Lynch kick-out to Ryan Ferris began the move for the goal that got Magherafelt back to the game. A Dan Higgins run through the middle saw him fouled by goalkeeper James Gribbin and up stepped Eoin McEvoy to slot to the bottom corner of the net.

It was point for point for the remainder of the half, leaving the score 1-3 to 0-6 at the break.

Magherafelt shot back in front six minutes into the second half when Shane Heavron nipped in ahead of ‘keeper Gribbin to flick to the net for a 2-3 to 0-7 lead.

Magherafelt were always able to keep their noses in Dan Higgins hitting a score on the run and Conal Heron firing over after a pass from Eoin McEvoy.

Brothers Paudi and Conor McGrogan kicked two sweet scores from the wing, but Magherafelt’s greater movement on their kick-outs always gave them an avenue to keep building attacks from deep.

The 'Bridge weren't finished. Two Conor McAteer points had the sides level, 2-7 to 0-13, before substitute Niall Higgins continued the story of the second half as Magherafelt got their noses back in front.

A sweet Mark Doherty levelled the game before older brother Conor kicked Newbridge back into the lead - with his eight point - for the first-time in 26 minutes.

There was still time for Magherafelt to get back on the attack. Mark McGrogan’s flick put the ball out for a 45 and Lynch kept his cool to earn a draw with the last kick.

Magherafelt: Odhrán Lynch (0-1 45); Simon McErlain, Johnny McErlain, Guiseppi Lupari; Conal Heron (0-1), Eoin McEvoy (1-0 pen), Conor McCluskey; Danny Heavron (0-1f), Dan Higgins (0-1); Conor McErlain (0-1); Ryan Lennox, Ryan Ferris, Paddy McLarnon; Cormac Murphy, Shane Heavron (1-3, 2f)

Subs: Odhrán Crozier for G Lupari (49), Niall Higgins (0-1) for C McErlain (49), Caolan Crozier for R Lennox (54)

Newbridge: James Gribbin; Conleth McGrogan; Paudi McGrogan (0-1); Mark Doherty (0-1), Mark McGrogan, Shane McGrogan; Conor McGrogan (0-1); Declan McKeever (0-1); Conor Doherty (0-8, 6f), Michael Bateson; Odhran McGlone (0-1), Callum McGrogan, Nathan Rocks: Sean Young, Conor McAteer (0-2)

Subs: Patrick McMullan for M Bateson (55), Danny Mulholland for S Young (55), Aidan McGlone for O McGlone (60)

Yellow cards: M Bateson (42), D McKeever (64)

Referee: Aidan McAleer