Newbridge come from behind to book semi-final spot!

Newbridge 0-18
Lavey 1-13 

A storming second half performance saw Newbridge come from four points down to see off Lavey and book their spot in the semi-finals. 

Three second half points from Sean Young, in front of the watching Derry manager Mickey Harte, summed up Newbridge’s greater balance. 

In all, they had 11 different scorers and held Lavey scoreless for 19 second half minutes to stamp their authority on the game. 

It was point for point with the sides level five times before Lavey bagged the game’s only goal. 

Ryan Mulholland lumped a high ball forward and it was plucked majestically by Declan Hughes. Gribbin made a save before Hughes slotted the rebound to the net for a 1-5 to 0-5 lead after 15 minutes. 

At the other end, Kevin O’Neill made a fine block to deny Odhran McGlone a goal as Lavey pushed 1-10 to 0-9 ahead by half-time. 

Whatever was said in the Newbridge dressing room worked a treat. Young (3), Conor Doherty, Conleth and Conor McGrogan add hit points at important times. 

Newbridge’s movement on their kick-outs saw goalkeeper Gribbin retain all but a late long one down the middle. It was a contrast to their game with Magherafelt when his options were light. 

Ryan Mulholland made an important block to deny Conor Doherty a goal but it was all Newbridge before Niall Toner’s free levelled the game, 1-11 to 0-14, with 49 minutes gone. 

Young, Callum McGrogan and Aidan McGlone gave Newbridge another kick. They looked in control until three Toner frees had the game back in the melting pot. 

A fisted Mark Doherty proved the insurance point. Lavey had a late chance for goal when Naithan Scullion’s shot was blocked by Danny Mulholland. Referee Declan O’Connor sounded the final whistle when the ball spun up into the air before the play went dead. It was frustration for Lavey and relief for Newbridge who hung on for a deserving win. 

Newbridge: James Gribbin; Declan McKeever, Paudi McGrogan (0-2), Shane McGrogan (0-1); Conor McGrogan (0-1); Sean Young (0-3), Mark McGrogan, Conleth McGrogan (0-1); Conor Doherty (0-3, 2f), Michael Bateson (0-1); Callum McGrogan (0-2), Mark Doherty (0-2), Nathan Rocks (0-1); Conor McAteer, Odhran McGlone
Subs: Aidan McGlone (0-1) for M Bateson (47), Danny Mulholland for O McGlone (55) 

Lavey: Jack Scullion; Aidan Toner, Conor Mulholland (0-1); Jamie Duggan (0-1); Ryan Mulholland (0-1), James McGurk, Segdae Melaugh; Rory McGill, Kevin O’Neill (0-1); Ciaran Hendry; Fintan Bradley (0-1); Niall Toner (0-4, 3f), Patrick McGurk (0-2); Liam Murphy (0-1), Declan Hughes (1-1)
Subs: Naithan Scullion for S Melaugh (HT), Dara McGurk for L Murphy (41), Hugh McGurk for J McGurk (47), Eamon McGill for K O’Neill (50) 

Yellow card: K O’Neill (34)

Referee: Declan O’Connor (Dungiven)