Derry Senior Football Championship review: Glen overcome stubborn Dungiven

Derry’s Senior Football Championship penultimate round of group fixtures took place over the weekend, and Glen remained on course for their fourth title in a row, but only just.

A week where the club received the news that manager Malachy O'Rourke was appointed the next Tyrone inter-county boss. 

The All-Ireland club champions were pushed all the way by a brave and spirited Dungiven at home. 

Dungiven entered the interval with a point advantage, on the scoreline of 0-5 to 0-4, only for a man of the match performance from Ethan Doherty, accompanied by five points to give Glen their third victory of the competition and send them through to the quarterfinals. 

Meanwhile, Slaughtneil continued their impressive championship form as they ran out 2-17 to 0-9 winners in Bellaghy. 

The 2020 senior championship winners demonstrated all their quality in the second half of the game as Bellaghy struggled to deal with the scoring exhibition of Shea Cassidy, Ruairi Ó Mianáin, Conor Coyle, and Fionn McEldowney.

Bellaghy’s championship progression comes down to a final round game against Swatragh, with the winner progressing to the quarterfinal. 

This comes after Swatragh’s failure to secure a victory over Senior League champions Kilrea. 

Swatragh travelled to Kilrea, only managing to secure a 1-10 to 1-10 draw, with both sides lacking the clinical nature to secure the win. It means that Kilrea have ultimately been eliminated from the competition.

Meanwhile, in Group B, Newbridge kept marching on with their perfect record, as they put Steelstown’s hopes of progression to the quarterfinals at serious risk. 

The swirling wind made it difficult for both sides, with the spectacle being impacted, yet it was a competitive affair. 

The game only stretched out to the final scoreline of 0-11 to 0-8 in favour of the home side Newbridge in the final moments.

Both sides had a man sent off, which will disappoint them as Newbridge’s Mark McGrogan and Steelstown’s Ryan Devine were sent off in the final few minutes, the former shown a straight red and the latter shown his second yellow card for a scuffle.

Steelstown now need a victory in their final game against Lavey; nothing less is likely to get them through. 

Magherafelt were too strong for Ballinascreen, as they ran out 3-7 to 1-7 victors. 

The hosts now can look forward to the quarterfinals after the win. 

Defensive solidity is what the victory was built off for Magherafelt, as Ballinascreen struggled to break them down as they saw their championship hopes diminish.

In the final game of the group, Lavey romped home to victory, as their performance proved too much for Loup.

The defeat has left Loup peering over their shoulder in the last quarterfinal spot, while Lavey have moved to third with their 3-16 to 2-11 win.

That makes it two wins in a row for the Intermediate League champions; Loup know progression is still in their control as a win over Magherafelt will confirm their knockout place, but should defeat occur, they will be hoping results go their way, hoping Steelstown don’t overcome Lavey.