Late Ciaran Lynch goal gives Banagher the win over Drumsurn

Banagher 1-10

Drumsurn 1-8

A Ciaran Lynch goal on the cusp of time gave Banagher the cushion to finish off the group with victory at home against Drumsurn.

With both teams already guaranteed a quarter-final spot, there wasn’t much in the way of bite but the home side held on for victory.

It could’ve been different had Cahir Mullan’s flick goalwards had found the net. Instead, the ball flashed wide and Drumsurn’s last throw of the side.

The sides were level when Drumsurn finished the game’s first goal. A Ronan Rafferty kick-out found a red jersey. Paddy Welsby was involved. Fearghal McIntyre went on the overlap. When TIaran Woods picked up a pass inside, he squeezed his shot across to the bottom corner for a 1-1 to 0-1 lead.

Ciaran Lynch, Tiarnán Moore and Ruairi Quirk hit points to level matters within five minutes.

Banagher nosed ahead again before two sweet Cathair Friel points levelled matters.

Then came the turn. A long Callum Armstrong kick-out was fielded by Brian Óg McGilligan. He fed the overlapping Gavin O’Neill who went on the charge goalwards before squaring to Ciaran Lynch for a palmed goal and a 1-7 to 1-4 interval lead.

The second half was a tame affair with Banagher always able to keep in touch until Drumsurn began to win the midfield exchanges.

Cahir Mullan and McHugh hit Drumsurn points to leave themselves with a chance before Mullan’s flicked goal chance went wide with the last play.

Banagher will face Coleraine in the quarter-finals with Drumsurn up against Foreglen.

Ballinderry will take on Glenullin wit Castledawson paired with Faughanvale.

The quarter-finals are down for decision on the weekend of October 6. The semi-finals follow the week after with pairings decided by an open draw.

Scorers:

Drumsurn: Cahir Mulan 0-3f, Cathair Friel 0-3, Tiarnan Woods 1-0 and Tiarnan McHugh 0-2

Banagher: Ciaran Lynch 1-1, Peter Hagan (1f), Tiarnán Moore 0-3 each, Gavin O’Neill, Ruairi Quirk and Paul Murphy 0-1 each

Drumsurn: Ronan Rafferty; Fearghal McInytre, Daniel McNicholl, Michael McCloskey; Pady Welsby, Cahir Mullan, Eoin Ferris; Tiarnan McHugh, Dara Rafferty; Sean Butcher, Tiarnan Woods, Shea Murray; Barry Harkin, Ryan Mullan, Cathair FrielSubs: Aaron Butcher for Welsby (47), Aidan Duddy for R Mullan (47), Ciaran Mullan for Harkin (52)

Yellow cards: C Friel (50), A Butcher (56) 

Banagher: Callum Armstrong; Jack Lynch, Cathair McGilligan, Darragh McCloskey; Paul Murphy, Gavin O’Neill, Senan Lockhart; Brian Óg McGilligan, Callum O’Kane; Ciaran Lynch, Eamon Óg Feeney, Ruairi Quirk; Shane Farren, Peter Hagan Tiarnán MooreSubs: Mark Lynch for Farren (52), Jack O’Neill for Murphy (59), Bryan O’Kane for O’Kane (59)

Yellow cards: D McCloskey (35), J Lynch (56)

Referee: Sean Curran (Faughanvale)