Dempsey introduction carries Glenullin to thrilling Limavady win

Glenullin 1-19, Limavady Wolfhounds 1-15

Glenullin kick-started their Intermediate championship campaign into life on Sunday evening at the second attempt of asking after themselves and Limavady played out a breathless contest in the blistering heat of Páirc Seán Ó Maolain.

In the classic ‘game of two halves’ the hosts trailed 0-10 to 1-4 at the break, the score no more than the impressive starting Wolfhounds deserved, before Glenullin burst into life after the break. The outstanding Chrissy Dempsey, only introduced in the 2 st minute and with a full reserve game already run in the legs, was the catalyst for his side’s revival producing an effervescent display of high energy, high fielding and point taking that inspired his side on to eventual victory.

Dominic Woods’ side, the smell of victory in the parish derby win over Glack last week still in the nostrils, more than played their part in this encounter. Goalkeeper Oran Hartin pulled off a couple of fine saves, Aaron McGregor, Marc McGroarty and Jamie McLaughlin ran themselves tirelessly over the hour, while Oisin Hassan was their best on show with his spritely ball play and that lovely left peg’s ability to dissect the posts.

The stifling conditions, the kind of heat not seen in Glenullin since the slow set during the heady disco days of the '80s and '90s, suggested a game played out at a more pedestrian pace but far from it. The intensity rarely cooled, but it was the Mitchels’ ability, with Dempsey in inspirational form, to sustain their effort as the game simmered to boiling point that separated two well matched sides.

Two early frees from Richard King, a man with a cool head and a clean strike, settled Limavady nerves early on, before points from Jack Deery and Oisin Hassan sped their side to an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead.

Young Hassan, as unmarkable as he was deadly in the opening quarter, added three more rapid fire points as the Wolfhounds stretched their lead to 0-10 to 0-03.

But just as the writing appeared to be on the wall for the home side, and confidence low after that demoralising Steelstown defeat, the introduction of Dempsey proved the game’s key momentum swinger. Dempsey landed a point with his first involvement of the half and then a second before Fergal Close’s 29th minute goal reduced the Glen’s deficit to 0-10 to 1-4 at half- time.

Chrissy Dempsey, of course, opened the scoring in the second half and in doing so threw down the gauntlet. Dermot O’Kane, unusually scoreless in the first half, finally joined the party with a 37th minut free – his first of a scintillating 10-point second half splurge. O’Kane’s fourth point edged Glenullin 1-10 to 0-11 ahead as the home side looked to be coasting.

Struggling to make any real impression after the interval, Marc McGroarty offered his side a lifeline when his 50th minute goal deliciously looped over McKeown in goals to once more assert the Limavady lead.

Jolted back into life, David Brolly and Harry McLaughlin added points as the visitors threatened to take the game right to a dramatic denouement. But, driven on by Dempsey at midfield and with deadly Dermot O’Kane’s eye in, there would be no stopping the Mitchel’s.

Hassan and King both pointed again late on, but Limavady lungs were by now sucking on thin air with Glenullin finishing strongest and, ultimately, four point winners.

Glenullin: Michael Og McKeown, Christopher Bradley, Eunan O’Kane, Daniel O’Kane (0-1), Donal Close, John O’Kane, Conor Rafferty (0-1), Caolan McNeill, Traglach Bradley, Donal O’Kane (0-3), Niall O’Kane, Fearghal Close (1-0), Conor Kearney, Dermot O’Kane 0-10 (0-4f), Leigh Mullan. Subs: C Dempsey 0-4 for N O’Kane (21), C Dempsey for C McNeill (34), S Talbot for C Kearney (59)

Limavady: Oran Hartin, Kieran McGlinchey, Tomás Deery, Manus Quigley, Jamie McLaughin, Conor Boyd, Aaron McGregor, Jack Deery (0-1), Harry McLaughlin (0-1), Mark McGroarty (1-0), Richard King (0-3, 0-2f), Sheagh McLaughlin, Oisin Hassan 0-6 (0-2f), Cormac Quigley 0-2, David Brolly 0-2. Subs: B O’Brien for T Deery (36), H Butcher for S McLaughlin (58)

Referee: B Quinn (Ballinascreen)