Relief for Lavey as Bellaghy rue wides

Errigal Group Derry Senior Championship Quarter-final

Lavey 0-10 ... Bellaghy 0-9

With this quarter final already into added time and Lavey failing yet again to convert a scoring chance, the game was set up for a Bellaghy smash and grab. They nearly got it!

A break up the left wing found Aimee Lennon in the clear. Full back Ellen McCormick rushed over and fouled her, but referee Alan Nash gave Lennon the advantage as she had shaken free and passed to Anna Cassidy. However the goal chance was gone and Cassidy had to settle for a point. Lavey supporters could breathe easy again.

Had they lost this game, it would have been their own fault; they dominated play over the second half, but their shooting radar was off with eight wides and the first five of those from dead balls.

Bellaghy weren't quite as dominant with the aid of the breeze in the first half, but they would have been disappointed to go in at the break on level terms at 0-3 each. Both teams hit six wides in that half hour in a game that was always close, but didn't really catch fire.

Maria Rafferty top scored with half of Lavey's ten points and was my selection for Player of the Match. Her defence gave her a run for her money, Eilis Toner, Ellen McCormick and Sinéad McGill in particular catching the eye.

Bellaghy's defence, while guilty of some silly fouls, generally did well and played the ball through the lines fairly well. Up front Leah Cassidy and Aimee Lennon carried most threat. But they will rue those first half wides.

Rafferty got the game off to a promising start with a point in the second minute while Leah Cassidy and Lennon responded with points in the 6th and 9th minutes.

But already, the wide count was mounting, four for each side over the first ten minutes. A second Cassidy point started the second quarter but it was their final score until nine minutes into the second half. Two points from Rafferty evened the score before the break.

Lavey started the second half with intent, two frees from Aoife Shaw and a fourth point from Rafferty putting them in control. Points from Lennon and Cassidy reeled them in and one from Caoimhe Chambers after being put in the clear by sub Orla McCartney made it all-square at 0-7 each.

Two frees from Shaw opened a gap once more. Lennon pointed in response only for Rafferty to hit back at the other end.

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The only clear goal chance arrived in the 57th minute. Aoife Shaw was in the clear and chose to kick past the advancing Amy Cassidy. The sliotar came back off the right hand post and suddenly the game was set up for a Bellaghy steal.

It almost happened, but Lavey in fairness didn't deserve to lose and have progressed to the semifinals at the end of the month.

Lavey: N Gribben, E Toner, E McCormick, L Scullion, A McMullan, N Conway, S McGill, C Toner, Á McGill, A Rafferty, M Rafferty 0-5, 2 frees, C Collins 0-1, Á Murphy, A Shaw 4 frees, Á Conway.

Subs: E Collins for Á Conway (27), A McPeake for Á Murphy (42)

Bellaghy: E Cassidy, L McErlean, R Cassidy, A McFaul, E Griffin, E Doherty, L Lennon, R Downey capt., C Chambers 0-1, G Draine, A Cassidy 0-1, O Hull, L Cassidy 0-3, A Lennon 0-4, 2 frees, C McElwee

Sub: O McCartney for C McElwee (37)

Referee: Alan Nash