Banagher retain Derry SFC spot for 2027 while Faughanvale face relegation play-off against Loup

Banagher 2-31, Faughanvale 3-24

Banagher preserved their senior championship status for 2027 thanks to a dramatic extra-time victory over Faughanvale at Find Insurance Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.

Tiarnan Moore hit 1-08 for Eunan O'Kane's side who were pushed to the pin of their collars by a 'Vale side missing a number of regulars and who must now face The Loup to determine which club drops to the Intermediate grade for next season. There are no such worries for Banagher but after winning the Division Two title earlier this year, they will breath a sigh of relief after goals from Moore and Eoin Devine ensured they will play both senior league and championship football next season.

That outcome was in doubt right to the final whistle thanks to a 'Vale display which made a mockery of pessimistic pre-game predictions. Eoin McElhinney matched Moore's contribution with 1-08 of his own for 'Vale while the excellent Mark Creane took it upon himself to force extra-time with a remarkable 1-02 in the final 90 seconds of added time at the end of normal time.

Moore's wonderful solo goal into the top corner just after half-time had been the springboard for what appeared to be moving toward an inevitable Banagher victory. Faughanvale were contributing fully but having turned around 0-11 to 0-9 behind, the goal helped Banagher remain just out of reach throughout a thrilling second half. Out of reach that is until Creane took matters into his own hands.

Trailing 1-22 to 1-17 with the clock showing 61 minutes, Michael Sweeney's pass to Creane placed the midfielder 15 yads from goal but among three Banagher backs. However, he showed immense skill and strength to break two tackles, side-step another and fire to the net from close range to leave just two between the teams.

And better still, when 'Vale turned an attacking Banagher over just seconds later, the ball was worked back to Creane and with no right to shoot from a difficult position 45m out, he sent over a superb two point score worthy of winning any match.

Except it didn't. It only forced extra-time and despite then racing into an early two point lead in the first period thanks to scores from the Jordan Curran and Adam Murphy who both impressed, it was Banagher who held their nerve.

It took Fionn Cartin's brilliant two pointer to level that lead before 'Vale dissent was punished by Moore's tapping over a routine free only seconds later. McElhinney levelled from another placed ball but points from Ruairi Quirk and Moore saw Banagher changed ends in extra-time 1-27 to 2-22 ahead.

And the opening five minutes of the second period was where the game was won. With players on both sides cramping, Banagher summoned enough strength to hit points from Ciaran Lynch and Peter Hagan before Fionn Cartin's long range effort was read and met with the fists by Eoin Devine whose goal provided the cushion Banagher had been desperately seeking.

Callum Armstrong's second two point free of the afternoon pushed the lead out to 2-31 against 2-22 but even then 'Vale refused to accept defeat with Eoin McElhinney's goal arriving just too late to allow 'Vale to produce a second amazing fightback in the same game.

It was quite the finale following an opening half which lacked the fireworks of later, 'Vale not quite making the most of a 19th minute black card for Banagher's Michael Hagan following an off the ball challenge.

Moore's goal two minutes after the restart was a fantastic way to put Banagher 1-14 to 0-10 up, the mercurial forward weaving his way past three challenges before blasting into the top corner from an acute angle. If anything that goal looked like making the remainder of the game a foregone conclusion as Banagher eased out to double scores at 1-17 to 0-10 following 10 scoreless minutes from 'Vale.

McFeely's goal, driving on to a Sweeney pass and picking his spot, changed that. In fact it lit the blue touch paper on a game that took off as 'Vale went for broke and Banagher met them blow for blow in a game no one deserved to lose. Close for Vale, but they must go again while Banagher can already start planning for 2027.

Banagher scorers: Tiarnan Moore 1-8, (1tp, 4f), Callum Armstrong 0-4 (2tpf), Eoin Devine 1-0, Eamon Og Feeney 0-3 (1tp), Gavin O'Neill 0-3 (1tp), Fionn Cartin 0-3 (1tp), Ciaran Lynch 0-3, Chris McCullagh 0-2, Peter Hagan 0-2, Eoin Devine 0-1, Ruairi Quirk 0-1, Oisin Feeney 0-1.

Faughanvale scorers: Eoin McElhinney 1-8 (1tpf, 3f), Mark Creane 1-3 (1tp), Tiarnan McFeely 1-1, Jude Bryson 0-4, Adam Murphy 0-4 (1f), Jordan Curran 0-2, Shane McElhinney 0-1, Shea Martin 0-1.

Banagher: Callum Armstrong, Eoin Cartin, Cathair McGilligan, Senan Lockhart, Peter Hagan, Gavin O'Neill, Eoin Devine, Micheal Devine, Chris McCullagh, Ciaran Lynch, Eamon Og Feeney, Ruairi Quirk, Jack O'Neill, Oisin Feeney, Tiarnan Moore. (Subs) Fionn Cartin for M Hagan, 41mins; Ruairi Biggs for O Feeney, 55mins; Odhran Burke for R Quirk, HT (ET).

Faughanvale: Pauric O'Neill, Shane McGlinchey, Ruairi Lynch, Joe Bryson, Daniel Waqaimalani, Shane McElhinney, Connloath McGee, Jordan Curran, Mark Creane, Tiernan McFeely, Michael Sweeney, Eoin McElhinney, Jude Bryson, Shea Martin, Adam Murphy. (Subs) Cathal O'Kane for D Waqaimalani, 39mins; Liam Collins for T McFeeley, HT (ET); Daniel Waqaimalani for S McElhinney, 15mins (ET); Jack McGuinness for A Murphy, 15mins (ET).

Referee: Caolan Hazlett