Glen, Steelstown, Magherafelt and Ballinascreen through to the semi-finals

Errigal Senior Football Championship 

Glen 2-13 

Ballymaguigan 3-7

GLEN claimed top spot in Group A and sealed their place in the last four thanks to goals from Breena O’Loughlin and Danielle Kivlehan as the clock ticked into added time at Owenbeg on Monday evening. 

The Wattys knew they only needed to avoid defeat by less than four points to advance while for last year's runners up they needed the win and by that four-point margin. They did enjoy that advantage when they hit two quick fire goals at the start of the second half only to be pegged back. 

Both sides struggled with the conditions, and it left the game littered with errors with players slipping all over the pitch and ball handling letting them down. However, decision making too, possibly nerves with it being a huge game and championship hopes on the line. 

Glen, who won all three of their games, moved two clear with the outstanding Annie NiLochlann and the equally impressive Breena O’Loughlin pointing. Ballymaguigan responded with three in-a-row as Dervla Stinson, Nicole Nugent and Aoife McGlone split the posts to edge them in front. 

Both sets of supporters questioned a number of calls in what was a physical battle but in fairness to Sean Curran he tried to let both sides get on with it and it added to the atmosphere and excitement. 

The returning Kivlehan levelled matters before Erin O’Neill set up Anna Martin for a fine score. Glen hit three in-a-row, Kivlehan, Caoimhe Kirkpatrick and NiLochlann on target to move two clear. Annie Crozier had the final say of a very evenly matched opening half to leave it Glen 0-6 Ballymaguigan 0-5 at the interval. 

That was extended on the resumption with a great run from Ciara Mulholland finishing with a Kivlehan point. Then the game swung in Ballymaguigan's favour with two goals in as many minutes. The first may have not been intentional as substitute Sara Doyle floated a free in that dropped in at the post and bounced up into the net. With their tails up they sensed the opportunity was there and they came again and with a similar reward. This time the finish was applied by Lauren Crozier as she kept her cool to create the space to fire home. 

Suddenly Ballymaguigan were four clear and looking the side to fire on. Not so as Glen came roaring back with three successive points. A Doyle free moved it back to a two point game as the game entered the final quarter. NiLochlann with two outstanding points, first from play and then an absolute beauty from a free with the outside of her boot. 

Ballymaguigan pushed for goals but did edge in front with a Erin Doherty point before Leanne McCrystal from an acute angle levelled matters again as tensions rose and every decision questioned on the sidelines. Then it was a dramatic finish as O’Loughlin gathered possession when a NiLochlann free came off the upright to fire to the net. Almost immediately they had another when the superb Kivlehan struck from long range and Glen were six clear. Still time for one more goal, this time from Erin O’Neill at the other end, but time was against them and Ballymaguigan’s championship was over as Steelstown comfortably saw off Ballerin to take second spot. 

With Glen and Steelstown coming through from Group A, meanwhile in Group B Magherafelt topped the group on scoring difference to pip Ballinascreen who also advance to the last four. The semi-final pairings are Glen v Ballinascreen and Magherafelt v Steelstown in two weeks' time. 

Glen: Rachel Glasgow; Aoife McGuckin, Aimee Glasgow, Sarah Darragh; Ciara Mulholland, Caoimhe Kirkpatrick (0-1), Lauren O’Loughlin; Leanne McCrystal (0-1), Danielle Kivlehan (1-3); Clare McGrogan, Annie NiLochlann (0-5, 3f), Sorcha Higgins; Bronagh McNicholl (0-1), Christina Kielt, Breena O’Loughlin (1-1). 

Ballymaguigan: Seona Walls; Katy Shivers, Clare McCartney, Joanne Corr; Kayla Letters, Kate Gribben, Erin Doherty (0-1); Annie Crozier (0-1), Aoife McGlone (0-1); Nicole Nugent (0-1), Anna Martin, Dervla Stinson (0-1); Erin O’Neill (1-1), Lauren Crozier (1-0), Kate Crozier. 

Subs: Sara Doyle (1-1, f) for K Crozier, Hannah McEldowney for L Crozier, Aoife McOscar for Letters, Lucy Harris for Shivers. 

Referee: Sean Curran.