Lavey lift Derry junior crown as Bradley gets better of Banagher

Banagher 0-15, Lavey 2-13

Lavey are the 2020 Leadon Timber Frame Derry Junior hurling champions after deservedly seeing off Banagher in a low key final at Celtic Park on Saturday.

Goals in either half from the excellent Fintan Bradley and Ryan Farren proved the difference for Erin's Own against a St. Mary's side that never hit top gear in difficult playing conditions.

By the time the final whistle sounded, Banagher had tried at least three different men on Bradley but with only limited success, the Lavey's forward ability to finish from play or from placed balls ultimately the deciding factor. Lavey took two of their three real goal chances whereas Banagher struggled to fashion openings, dropping the ball in with hope rather than conviction.

That's not to say St. Mary's didn't have their goal chances and if Bradley was Lavey's hero at one end, keeper Michael Taggart was every bit as important at the other with two match winning saves at critical junctures of the second half.

First he was quick off his line to deny Darragh Cartin after the Banagher man had broken clear on the left, the Lavey No. 1 making himself big to block the forward's point blank shot on 45 minutes. That save came with Lavey only one point to the good at 1-08 to 0-10 but even better was to arrive in injury time with Lavey's lead now at 2-12 to 0-15 and Bangher desperate for a goal.

As is the norm, the high balls began to reign in on the Lavey posts, most to little or no avail, but two minutes into stoppage time, Oisin McCloskey emerged from a multi-player scramble to fire a fierce shot over his shoulder and seemingly bound for the top corner. The only reason it didn't find its target was Taggart's outstretched hurled, flung high to the keeper's left to deflect the shot over the bar and secure Lavey the title their performance deserved. All afternoon, Lavey had been more mobile and quicker than Banagher with Bradley providing the attacking focal point.

Lavey started the better but were wasteful in their shooting, registering four wides before Ryan McGill finally got them on the scoreboard in the eighth minute. By that stage Brian Og McGilligan had already shot Banagher in front but that was an isolated incident in an Erin's Own dominated first quarter.

If anything, the needless water break came at the worst possible time for Lavey. It coincided with a match ending injury for influential captain, Eamon McGill, and the momentum swing thereafter was palpable. In terms of an addition to the sport, the water break has been as welcome as a fox in the hen house.

Before that first half water-break (that arrived in driving rain), Lavey were in total control. Bradley followed up McGill's equalising point with the game's opening goal on nine minutes, getting out in front of Cathair McGilligan before shrugging off the Banagher defender and firing a fierce shot that beat Daryl McDermott with sheer pace for an early 1-01 to 0-1 lead.

Lavey maintained that three point lead into the the first water break, Ryan Farren and Bradley scoring points with two Darragh Cartin frees for Bangher ensuring they stayed in touch.

Suitably refreshed, the remainder of the opening half saw Banagher take charge to draw level by the break, Sam Dodds' point the only Lavey managed before the short whistle as three Cartin points and one from Jonathan O'Dwyer tied the game at 0-7 to 1-04. Crucially though Bangher also hit seven wides.

The second half was tit-for-tat, Bradley always keeping Lavey in touch as O'Dwyer and Cartin did the damage for Banagher. By the midway point of the half the sides were still locked, Taggart's first excellent save from Cartin conceding the '65' that tied the game at 0-11 to 1-08 on 45 minutes.

Then came Lavey's second goal and it won them the match.

Again Bradley was crucial, breaking down a high dropping ball into space in front of the Banagher goal. McDermott was quick off his line but quicker still was the arriving Ryan Farren who got his booted to it seconds before the keeper got there to crash the ball into the net.

It provided a cushion Lavey wouldn't lose even if they were indebted to the crossbar after Darrgh Cartin's thunderous shot cannoned clear with five minutes left.

Banagher were in last chance saloon territory when Oisin McCloskey produced his injury time effort but Taggart's reflexes were up to it and ensured the title went to Lavey.

Banagher scorers: Brian Og McGilligan (0-1), Darragh Cartin (0-7, 4f, 1 forty-five), Jonathan O'Dwyer (0-4), Steafan McCloskey (0-2), Oisin McCloskey (0-1),

Lavey scorers: Fintan Bradley (1-7, 6f), Ryan Farren (1-1), Sam Dodds (0-2), Chrissy Henry (0-2), Ryan McGill (0-1).

Banagher: Daryl McDermott, Cathair McGilligan, Ruairi McCloskey, Shane Murphy, Darragh McCloskey, Brian Og McGilligan, Dara SImpson, Steafan McCloskey, Niall Farren, Fintan McGilligan, Ciaran Lynch, Jonathan O'Dwyer, Liam Eoin Campbell, Oisin McCloskey, Darragh Cartin. (Subs) Niall Biggs for C Lunch, 45mins;

Yellow cards: B McGilligan, 31mins;

Lavey: Michael Taggart, Brendan Laverty, James Crawford, Colm Dillon, Shane McGill, Eamon McGill, Chrissy Henry, Dermot O'Neill, Colm Murphy, Paddy Henry, Ciaran Hendry, Ryan McGill, Sam Dodds, Ryan Farren, Fintan Bradley. (Subs) Ryan Mulholland foir E McGill (inj), 25mins; Aidan Toner for C Hendry, 40mins; Kevin Toner for S Dodds, 57mins; Danny Shaw for D O'Neill, 62mins;

Yellow Cards: D O'Neill, 60mins;

Referee: T Connolly