DERRY GAA: Magherafelt reach last eight as Steelstown drop into qualifiers

Steelstown had opportunities to be much closer to one of the championship favourites in this very open game but they were too intent on getting the ball to ace forward, Cahir McMonagle who was shadowed by James Murray throughout. McMonagle still managed to post some fine scores but against the first half wind several efforts were carried wide by the elements.

Magherafelt never reached the heights of their Slaughtneil victory but those first half goals by McCloskey gave them the foundation for victory. Derry player Eoin McEvoy excelled throughout for the winners with Ben McCarron putting in a big shift for the Brian Og’s.

Steelstown hogged possession against the wind for the first five minutes but in Magherafelt’s first attack, McCloskey rifled a low shot past Marty Dunne in the sixth minute. The Rossas also registered the next score with Cormac Murphy the finisher.

A converted free by McMonagle settled the Brian Og’s and they held firm until the mid point of the half when Eoin McEvoy soloed through to fist over a point. By the 20th minute Steelstown had shot five wides and five minutes later McCloskey poked home his second goal.

A brace from Conall Higgins opened up an eight point lead but on the cusp of half time McMongle made no mistake from the penalty spot leaving the score 2-4 to 1-2 and with wind advantage to come the game looked to be within the Steelstown capabilities.

Rory Small had the first point on the turnover but a McMonagle free cancelled that out. In between points from Shea McGuckin and Conall Higgins came the score of the game and that was a wonder two pointer from McMonagle that kept his team in the game, even though five points separated the teams.

But Magherafelt continued to dominate the scoring and went into a 2-9 to 1-4 lead. After McMonagle had reduced the Rossas lead Conall Higgins made sure that his team would go through the front door with a clinical finish to the net. Ryan Devine and Cahir McMonagle hit late two pointers but by that stage the game was gone.

Magherafelt scorers: Aidan McCloskey(2-0), Conal Higgins (1-3,3f), Shea McGuckin, and Eoin McEvoy (0-2) each, Cormac Murphy Dan Higgins and Rory Small (0-1) each. Steelstown scorers Cahir McMonagle (1-7,1-0 pen 2x2pt,1f) Ryan Devine (2pt) Callum Deery (0-01)

Magherafelt: Odhran Lynch, Turlough Cartin, James Murray, Conall Heron, Conor McCluskey, Johnny McErlain, Rory Small, Dan Higgins, Eoin McEvoy, Aidan McCloskey, Cahir Spiers, Paddy McLarnon, Cnall Higgins, Shea McGuckin, Cormac Murphy. Subs Cahr Quinn for C Spiers (h/t), Shane Heavron for S McGuckin(42), Caolan Crozier for J McErlain (50) and Zack Gavigan for E McEvoy (55).

Steelstown: Marty Dunne, Eoghan Concannon, Aidan McLaughlin, Corey McGuinness, Eoin Canavan, Diarmuid Baker, Odhran Campbell, Ronan Canavan, Donncha Gilmore, Ryan Devine, Ben McCarron, Dan McAteer, Neil Forrester, Cahir McMonagle, Callum Deery.

Referee: Cathal Doherty