Magherafelt book another final as they prove too strong for Newbridge

O’Neill’s Derry SFC semi-final

Magherafelt 0-12

Newbridge 0-2

Control. That’s what Magherafelt’s performance was all about. From the moment they closed down Newbridge’s kick-out options to notch early scores, there was only one winner.

The 2019 champions, who lost in the final 12 months later, maintained their unbeaten run to book their place in the decider later this month.

Points from Shane Heavron and Cormac Murphy saw them off the mark. With every kick-out, they found a way of getting a red jersey on the ball.

Rossa had six points on the board before Sean Young scored the first of two Newbridge first half scores.

By the interval, Magherafelt were 0-8 to 0-2 ahead and will have the focus of wayward shooting in the weeks ahead of the final.

Newbridge had a goal chance in the second half but Odhrán Lynch denied Callum McGrogan.

Shea McGuckin, Dan Higgins and Danny Heavron tagged on points to ensure their passage to the final.

Magherafelt: Odhrán Lynch; Simon McErlain, Johnny McErlain, Guiseppi Lupari; Conall Heron, Conor McCluskey, Eoin McEvoy; Danny Heavron (0-1), Dan Higgins (0-1), Ryan Ferris; Shea McGuckin (0-2, 1f), Ryan Lennox, Paddy McLarnon; Cormac Murphy (0-3), Shane Heavron (0-5, 4f)
Subs: Ronan Walls for R Ferris (INJ 23), Joe Keenan for G Lupari (50), Niall Huggins for S McGuckin (52), Conor McErlain for C Murphy (58), Fergal Duffin for C Heron (58)

Newbridge: James Gribbin; Declan McKeever, Paudi McGrogan, Shane McGrogan; Michael Bateson; Sean Young (0-1), Mark McGrogan, Conor McGrogan, Conleth McGrogan; Conor Doherty, Nathan Rocks; Callum McGrogan (0-1); Conor McAteer; Odhran McGlone, Mark Doherty
Subs: Aidan McGlone for M Bateson (11), Jude Diamond for O McGlone (41), Danny Mulholland for S McGrogan (44)

Referee: Barry Cassidy (Bellaghy)