DERRY SFC: Wasteful Claudy caught cold by Newbridge

M&L Contracts Derry Senior Football Championship
Despair for Claudy on the final whistle after being beaten by Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)Despair for Claudy on the final whistle after being beaten by Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)
Despair for Claudy on the final whistle after being beaten by Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)

Newbridge 3-09, Claudy 2-07

Claudy made a sensational start to this game after Aaron Kerrigan had posted a first minute wide, with Shea Kerrigan, Jamie Donaghy and Shane McGahan linking superbly before James McClay finished the move on the left with a rasping shot across keeper to the far corner of the net.

Blaine Carlin added a minor for a four point lead inside three minutes. However Newbridge were not fazed and slowly worked their way into the game with points from Ciaran Brooks, Peter McGrogan (3) - he finished the half with 1-3 - and Ryan McElhone to tie the game at 0-5 to 1-2 by the 12th minute.

Claudy's Martin Donaghy gets an elbow from Kevin Sweeney of Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)Claudy's Martin Donaghy gets an elbow from Kevin Sweeney of Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)
Claudy's Martin Donaghy gets an elbow from Kevin Sweeney of Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Twelve minutes from half-time McGrogan fisted the ball to McElhone and he netted with aplomb to put O’Leary’s into a lead they would maintain to the end.

In the 24th minute the outstanding Declan McKeever denied Claudy a goal with a timely interception in the goalmouth, the ball then transferred forward quickly to Peter McGrogan who race through to plant the ball in the net for a 2-5 to 1-2 lead.

Eamon Burke responded to a pointed Kerrigan free with a monster point from 50 metres to maintain the six point Newbridge lead at half time.

In the third quarter Kerrigan pointed two frees but crucially also wided two, James McClay and substitute Martin Donaghy also off target.

Claudy's Martin Donaghy gets an elbow from Kevin Sweeney of Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)Claudy's Martin Donaghy gets an elbow from Kevin Sweeney of Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)
Claudy's Martin Donaghy gets an elbow from Kevin Sweeney of Newbridge during the Derry SFC at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Picture: Margaret McLaughlin)
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

By the final whistle Claudy would have registered 10 wides and that would be central to their defeat as Kerrigan converted a 59th minute penalty to leave two between the teams,

However in added time Eamon Burke put McGrogan clear and he sealed a richly deserved victory for the O’Leary’s.