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06 Mar 2026

Goals from Oisin McCloskey and Niall Biggs the difference as Banagher book first final since 2018

Banagher

Banagher defeated Swatragh at Owenbeg. Pic by nwpresspics

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

30 Sept 2024 11:26 AM

Banagher 2-10
Swatragh 0-10
Goals from Oisin McCloskey and Niall Biggs were the difference as a defensively sound Banagher booked a first final spot since 2018.
They led by two points at the break but never looked like conceding the goa; Swatragh needed to get back into the game. 
It was Banagher who settled earliest despite facing a tough breeze to lead 0-3 to 0-0 with scores from Ciaran Lynch, Niall Biggs and Darragh Carin before Cathal Quinn’s eighth minute opener for Swatragh.
James Friel and Tiarnan Walsh landed two scores from inside their own half to level matters.
It was point for point until just before half time when Banagher nosed in front with a second Ciaran Lynch point.
Then came the goal. Niall Biggs had his first attack on goal closed down by ‘keeper McQuillan, forcing him to shoot wide.
When Swatragh worked their puck-out short, Banagher turned over the ball with Biggs getting away find the net.
Sean Martin Quinn and Oisin O’Kane replied for Swatragh to make the interval score 1-6 to 0-7.
After an even third quarter a brilliant team move was finished off by Oisin McCloskey after Ciaran Lynch had rattled the crossbar, making the score 2-8 to 0-8.
Gabriel Farren and Jack Lynch’s defending was of the highest order to close out Swatragh.
On the two occasions Swatragh got inside, Darrel McDermott denied Sean Martin Quinn while PJ O’Connell’s shot whizzed over the bar after Sean Francis Quinn cut through the cover
Banagher subs Liam Eoin Campbell and Sean McCullagh added points to seal victory.
Scorers:
Banagher: Niall Biggs 1-1, Darragh Cartin 0-3f. Oisin McCloskey 1-0, Ciaran Lynch 0-2, Shane Murphy, Sean McCullagh, Liam Eoin Campbell and Brian Óg McGilligan 0-1 each
Swatragh: Sean Martin Quinn 0-2f, Tiarnan Walsh 0-2, James Friel 0-1f, Cathal Quinn, Cahal Murray, Oisin O’Kane, Sean Francis Quinn and PJ O’Connell 0-1 each
Banagher: Darrel McDermott; Jack Lynch, Ruairi McCloskey, Cathair McGilligan; Niall Farren, Darragh McCloskey, Gabriel Farren; Steafan McCloskey, Brian Óg McGilligan; Ciaran Lynch, Fiontan McGilligan, Shane Murphy; Niall Biggs, Oisin McCloskey, Darragh Cartin
Subs: Cathal O’Kane for S McCloskey (42), Callum O’Kane for F McGilligan (45), Sean McCullagh for Cartin (48), Daniel McGrellis for Murphy (52), Liam Eoin Campell for Biggs (55)
Yellow card: 54
Swatragh: Niall McQuillan; Ben Kearney, Patrick Turner, John McKeagney; Tiarnán Walsh, James Friel, Cathal Quinn; Dominic Bradley, Sean Francis Quinn; Sean Martin Quinn, Paul Gunning, Mick McCormack; Oisin O’Kane, Kevin McAllister, Cahal Murray, 
Subs: Fintan McGurk for McAllister (23), PJ O’Connell for O’Kane (34),  Declan Quinn for McCormack (55)

Referee: Tarlach Conway (Ballinascreen)

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