Strong Lavey second half defeats Banagher to win Derry Intermediate hurling title

Lavey 1-17, Banagher 0-15

Lorcan McDonnell's first minute goal set Lavey on their way to a fully deserved Leadon Timberframe Derry Intermediate Hurling Championship title as a strong second half defeated Banagher at Find Insurance Owenbeg on Sunday.

With the sides level at half-time, Lavey twice hit four unanswered points in a third quarter they dominated to help manager Johnny McGarvey to a memorable 2026 'double' after the Erin's Own boss had guided the Oak Leaf senior county team to its inaugural Christy Ring Cup win at the end of May.

It was a 15 minute spell of hurling Banagher never recovered from with an injury time red card for Oisin McCloskey illustrating St. Mary's frustrations following a second half in which they never quite got going after being well positioned at the break; that despite hitting 10 first half wides.

Semi-final hero Ruairi Biggs hero did his best with another 0-7 in the decider but Lavey were well worth their victory which was built on defensive intensity with full-back Brendan Laverty superb throughout.

Laverty was the Lavey lynchpin but beside him Darragh Young excelled while Aidy Toner's non stop display at centre-half gave his team added solidity and fast breaking legs when turnover ball was won. Rian Collins was largely well marshalled by Cathair McGilligan but Lavey had enough attacking threats with the likes of McDonnell and Fintan Bradley to ensure they stayed in front.

And it was their blistering start that set the tone. Connor Melaugh had fired over the game's opening point inside seconds of the throw-in and before the opening minute had elapsed Collins was teeing up McDonnell to step inside and fire home the game's only goal for an early 1-101 to no score lead.

But if Banagher were shaken they never showed it, instead settling to reel off points from Biggs (f), Oisin McCloskey and Steafan McCloskey to bring the Lavey lead back to the minimum by the fifth minute.

Bradley's first of the day extended the Lavey advantage before Steafan McCloskey grabbed his second though Banagher were indebted to two excellent Darrel McDermott saves from Melaugh – with his feet - and Bradley to ensure they stayed in touch.

Despite the saves, two Rian Collins' frees and points from Aimon Duffin and Melaugh had Lavey leading 1-06 to 0-5 in the 20th minute by which time Banagher's wide count had already reached eight. In contrast the Erin's Own were yet to register a single wide.

Oisin McCloskey's point then got the Banagher tally moving again as Biggs finished a lovely team move with a delightful score and Steafan McCloskey got his third for 1-06 to 0-7.

McDonnell's point stemmed the flow for Lavey before Biggs and Collins swapped frees but, in a strong finish to the half for St. Mary's, scores from Shane Murphy and Darragh Cartin (2) ensured parity at half-time and the promise of second half fireworks to come.

Yet they never quite materialised and that was down to a fired up Lavey. McGarvey's team went through the gears upon the restart as a lovely Collins effort over the shoulder was followed by scores from Bradley (f), another one from Collins (f) and Melaugh for 1-12 to 0-11.

A huge Biggs free was Banagher's first score for 11 minutes and their opener of the second half when it arrived but again Lavey responded with a string of scores of their own, Bradley (f), Tiarnan Melaugh, Collins (f) and Segdae Melaugh on target as The Erin’s Own surged 1-16 to 0-12 ahead with 46 minutes gone.

There would be no way back for Banagher as Lavey controlled the final quarter. Biggs did his best to rouse a response with another 0-3 which included two more frees but Aidy Toner's brilliant solo run and point summed up a Lavey performance that grew as the game wore on.

Lavey scorers: Lorcan McDonnell 1-1, Rian Collins 0-6 (5f), Conor Melaugh 0-3, Fintan Bradley 0-3 (2f), Aimon Duffin 0-1, Tiernan Melaugh 0-1, Segdae Melaugh 0-1, Aidy Toner 0-1.

Banagher scorers: Ruairi Biggs 0-7 (5f), Steafan McCloskey 0-3, Oisin McCloskey 0-2, Darragh Cartin 0-2, Shane Murphy 0-1.

Lavey: Dan Mulholland, Darragh Young, Brendan Laverty, John McGurk, Ryan McGarvey, Aidy Toner, Tiarnan Melaugh, Niall Duggan, Ryamond Duggan, Connor Melaugh, Fintan Bradley, Segdae Melaugh, Lorcan McDonnell, Rian Collins, Aimon Duffin. (Subs) Oisin Mulholland for A Duffin, 48mins; Jack Shaw for L McDonnell, 54mins; Ryan Farren for R Duggan, 57mins; Cormac Collins for N Duggan, 60mins; Conor McGurk for B Laverty (inj), 61mins.

Banagher: Darrell McDermott, Paul Murphy, Gabriel Farren, Cathair McGilligan, Shane Murphy, Darragh McCloskey, Cathal O'Kane, Odhran Burke, Keelan O'Kane, Oisin McCloskey, Darragh Cartin, Tiarnan McCloskey, Ruairi Biggs, Steafan McCloskey, Fionn Cartin. (Subs) Ben McCullagh for T McCloskey, 40mins; Owen O'Neill for F Cartin, 52mins; Sean McCullagh for K O'Kane, 55mins.

Referee: Owen Elliott.