Action packed Championship weekend sees the cream rise to the top

There was drama galore throughout the weekend as the championship semi-finals played out in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior levels to decide who would battle it in this year's finals.

Senior

The three in-a-row is still alive for Glen after they came through a serious test on Sunday evening in Owenbeg in front of a large attendance.

This was an intriguing battle and no surprise given how Glen dominated the last two championship meetings between the sides that Slaughtneil kept it tight in the opening half. The Emmetts were never going to be turned over easily again and made sure they were not a beaten side by half time, but they ended scoring a point less than in the previous two finals, although they did keep Glen’s scoring at bay.

The first half yielded just five points, the eventual winners shading it. It was a niggly affair, numerous occasions players on the ground off the ball, particularly for kickouts. Glen won the game in the first 10 minutes of the second half as they came out to really stamp their mark. A goal was crucial and while it wasn’t pretty it was the match winner. Stand in ‘keeper Jack Cassidy, who was the surprise late addition, couldn’t hold a free from Danny Tallon that dropped short and the ball fell into the net on 40 minutes. Glen did not score again and the Robbies hit four in-a-row but Glen held on in a tense finish.

Magherafelt were just too good for Newbridge in the second game of the day at Owenbeg on Saturday, coming out as 0-12, 0-2 winners.

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.

In the Senior relegation play-offs at Banagher, there were unsavoury scenes at the final whistle of the game between Swatragh and Ballinderry as the Shamrocks lost their Senior Championship status on a 2-7, 0-12 scoreline.

Referee Damien Harkin was surrounded by Ballinderry players, coaches and even fans with stewards having to step in for the referee’s protection.

Second half goals from Lorcan McWilliams and Tiarnan Walsh saw Swatragh win by the narrowest of margins. Ballinderry finished the game stronger, scoring the final four points, but they just couldn’t get the last point they needed, and the game ended regrettably as a result.

In the second game at Banagher, a very late goal from Michael Mulholland saw The Loup overcome Eoghan Rua in a fascinating contest. The teams couldn’t be separated throughout with Caolan Devlin (1-3) and Ciaran Devlin (0-4) starring for The Loup and Dara Mooney almost single-handedly keeping Coleraine in touch (1-6.) It was anyone’s game until the first minute of added time when Devlin set up Mulholland for a close-range finish to secure Senior Championship status for The Loup next year.

Intermediate

Reigning champions Glenullin kept their hopes of back-to-back titles when they came through a thriller in Owenbeg on Saturday with a 3-17 to 4-8 win over Drumsurn after extra time.

The winners led at the break by three but a Sean Butcher goal for Drumsurn midway through the second half levelled the sides. Eoin Bradley who hit 1-6 overall sent the sides to extra time with a free as Glenullin finished with 13 players.

A Ciaran Mullan goal had Drumsurn in the ascendancy in extra time but Glenullin responded with a Neill McNicholl goal and then further goal from Donal O’Kane and Eoin Bradley left it comfortable at the finish.

At Owenbeg yesterday, two second half goals were still not enough to save Greenlough, as they lost 2-5, 1-15 against Banagher. Trailing 0-3, 1-7 at the end of a poor first half, Greenlough battled back and found the net twice, but Banagher, with that 7-point advantage at the break, kept on chipping away, and in the end it was too much to make up for their opponents. Banagher will now go on to face reigning champions Glenullin in the Intermediate final.

In the relegation play-offs, Slaughtmanus lost their Intermediate Championship status as Paddy O'Kane inspired Faughanvale to an 0-11, 0-3 victory at Doire Trasna on Saturday.

'Vale were in charge from early on and never in any real danger of defeat against a Slaughtmanus side that failed to score from play across the 60 odd minutes. Not that it was plan sailing for the Greysteel men as three late red cards would testify to. However, 'Vale's greater cutting edge meant they always had a big enough cushion to keep a battling Slaughtmanus team at arm's length.

In the other game at Drum, goals were the decider as Claudy won by four points, 2-7, 0-9 over Lissan.  

Junior

In the Junior semi-finals, Moneymore caused a minor upset defeating Glack 2-11 to 1-8 in the first of a double bill at Magherafelt yesterday.

A Ryan O'Kane goal saw Glack run in 1-5 to 0-7 up, but second half goals from Tiernan Kelly and Tiernan O'Neill guided the Henry Joy's to the Junior Final.

In the second semi-final, Ballymaguigan withstood a late Ballerin fightback to progress to the final on a 1-12 to 3-5.

‘Quigan led 1-6 to 1-2 at the break, extending that advantage to eight points after the third quarter.

Late goals threatened a Ballerin revival, but Ballymaguigan held on.