Slaughtneil always on top in Kilrea victory

Slaughtneil led from gun to tape to proceed to the next round of the Derry Senior Club Championship. Ten point Shane McGuigan top scored for the winners, while veteran James Kielt, with 0-7, weighed in with the lion’s share of the Kilrea scoring.

Pearse’s Aidan Gillen goalkeeper pulled off a number of fine stops to wipe a little blood off the eventual scoreboard, while former Derry minors PJ McAleese and Paddy Quigg fought admirably in a losing cause. But this was very much a night when Slaughtneil, in the honeyed lustre of the slowly setting sun, threw down the gauntlet to their fellow rivals in the race for the John McLaughlin Cup.

Karl McKaigue showed bags of pace and energy scuttling forward all evening from defence, while Derry Under 20 star Fionn McEldowney covered every blade of grass on Owenbeg’s majestic playing surface. Brendan Rogers was the pick of the midfielders, plucking a couple of mighty high catches. But it was up front where Mark Doran’s side held all the aces. The ageless and metronomic Sammy Bradley, with 1-3, looks as good as ever, while the young legs and talented skills of Ruairi O Mianain, Shea Cassidy and Conor Coyle provided a talented support cast for the talismanic Shane McGuigan who harvested timely scores all evening.

A brace of goals handed Slaughtneil a five point half-time lead, as they ran in 2-7 to 0-8 up. Fionn McEldowney opened the afternoon’s scoring burying the ball into the back of the net in the first minute. Sixteen days late Christopher Bradley claimed the Emmet’s second goal when he palmed home after Ruairi O Mianain‘s shot was saved onto the crossbar by Aidan Gillen.

The favourites sped to a 1-3 to no score lead after just six minutes, with Sammy Bradley free followed up by a brace of points by Shane McGuigan off either foot.

Former county star James Kielt opened Kilrea’s account in the 9th minute with a trademark free. Kielt repeated the trick soon after and topped that up further when he converted a two point free from miles out the field. Kielt’s scoring exploits reduced his side’s deficit to 1-3 to 0-4 after the first quarter.

But just as the Pearse’s had dug themselves out of danger Sammy Bradley’s goal once again opened up a decent cushion for Slaughtneil. Tommy Rogers, however, comfortably sailed over a point before a 20th minute PJ McAleese two pointer left the scoreboard reading 2-3 to 0-7 in Slaughtneil’s favour.

The Emmet’s, nonetheless, enjoyed the more productive run into the interval. Shane McGuigan notched another brace, including a fine ’45, while Cahal McKaigue and Conor Coyle both pointed to conclude the opening half hour. Coyle had previously been denied goal chances twice by some smart keeping by Aidan Gillen

Half-time: Kilrea 0-8 - 2-7 Slaughtneil

Slaughtneil went to ‘two point town’ throughout the third quarter. Paddy Quigg put the cat among the pigeons when his goal opened the second half scoring, but successive two pointers from Ruairi O Mianain, Brendan Rogers, Shane McGuigan and then Chrissy McKaigue completely stole the wind from Kilrea sails.

Leading 2-16 to 1-9, the Emmet’s controlled most of the Owenbeg traffic. Further points from Paddy Quigg and James Kielt’s sixth and seventh of the evening brought an end to the Pearse’s scoring. Kilrea manager Vincent McKenna made a raft of changes throughout the second half but he simply couldn’t stem the tide.

IN PICTURES: Slaughtneil progress to next round following Kilrea victory

Shane McGuigan continued to work the scoreboard for the eventual winners, however. Shea Cassidy scored a fine point with help from the marauding Karl McKaigue.

And when Sammy Bradley nailed the last two points of the encounter it left his side triumphant by thirteen points and through to the next round unscathed, their bellies clearly rumbling for success.

Scorers

Kilrea: James Kielt 0-7 (1 tp), Paddy Quigg 1-1, PJ McAleese 0-2 (1 tp), Kevin Quinn 0-1, Tommy Rogers 0-1

Slaughtneil: Shane McGuigan 0-10 (1 ’45, 3f, 1 tp), Christopher Bradley 1-3 (2f), Fionn McEldowney 1-0, Chrissy McKaigue 0-2 (1 tp), Brendan Rogers 0-2 (1 tp), Ruairi O Mianain 0-2 (1 tp), Cahal McKaigue 0-1, Shea Cassidy 0-1, Conor Coyle 0-1

Kilrea: Aidan Gillen, Ruairi McCamphill, Jono Hardy, Odhran McLarnon, Daniel Madden, Geroid McLaughlin, Rory Maguire, Larry Kielt, James Kielt, Tommy Rogers, PJ McAleese, Kevin Quinn, Daithi McLaughlin, Paddy Quigg, Cathair O’Neill

Subs: Deaglan McNamee for R Maguire (15), Setanta McLaughlin for C O’Neill (41), R Donaghy for D McLaughlin (45), J Gillen for PJ McAleese (51), E McCamphill for R McCamphill (55)

Slaughtneil: Conaill Scullion, Cathal O Mianain, Eamon Cassidy, Cahal McKaigue, Chrissy McKaigue, Fionn McEldowney, Patsy Bradley, Brendan Rogers, Meehaul McGrath, Christopher Bradley, Ruairi O Mianain, Shea Cassidy, Shane McGuigan, Conor Coyle

Subs: Cormac O’Doherty for P Bradley (51)

Referee: Ciaran Canney (Na Magha)