Limavady secure league and end 36-year wait!

Limavady 1-19 ... Greenlough 0-9

Limavady clinched a first Division 2 league title since 1989 on Sunday after they saw off Greenlough with 12 points to spare at Pairc na gCunna.

The Wolfhounds went into the game knowing that only a win would secure the league and with it the one automatic promotion spot to the top tier of Derry club football. If they were to slip up in anyway then Banagher, by virtue of their 11-point win over Foreglen, would be crowned champions.

The game itself to some time to come alive, but Oisin Hasson’s first two-pointer in the 19th minute was the signal for the Wolfhounds to move up a gear, and with Harry McLaughlin and Tom Deery dominating midfield, the result was never in doubt.

It caps off a remarkable turnaround for Declan Toner’s side who last year only avoided relegation to division 3 on the head-to-head rule.

But after a winter of self-reflection the Wolfhounds returned for 2025 a different animal and surprised many onlookers to mark a return to the senior ranks for the first time since 1993.

“It just shows you whenever we can get a club, everybody pulling together and get a group of players all pulling in one way, magic can happen,” said an emotional Toner afterwards.

“This is all in the players. Last year we were fighting relegation and we were very lucky to avoid it. This year the boys really bought in, a different mindset, a different attitude

Asked if last years dance with relegation was the wake-up call that his players needed, Toner said the underperforming in the championship was perhaps the spark that readjusted the mindset of his team.

“I think more last year's championship matches, we didn't really perform well,” Toner added.

IN PICTURES: Limavady Wolfhounds crowned Division Two champions with victory over Greenlough

“Not just in terms of results but every game we were in the mix and the boys realised, you know what, we're not a million miles away here.”

And after a promising start to this year’s league, confidence grew by each passing game. And with it came a momentum that is yet to show any signs of slowing down.

“The biggest thing is sport momentum. We got a couple of results early in the season, we just kept carrying on from that there and just taking one game at a time. I think just elaborated off that. Just taking one game at a time and looks where it took us.

“We have 24-25 players there and I couldn't be prouder than every single one of them. 18 men played the day but realistically we have about 23-24 men have carried us throughout the year. It's also down to the work too, we did underage with them and all the underage coaches. It's been a massive day for the club, a massive day for the team and I'm very, very proud of everybody involved.”

Greenlough perhaps enjoyed the greater share of possession in the opening minutes, but Jude Donnelly’s side failed to capitalise on this. Instead, the Greenlough shooters established a love affair with the wrong side of Oran Hartin’s right hand post.

At the other end Cormac Quigley, Ruairi Hasson and Harry Butcher made the most of what came their way to help the home team to an early 0-3 to 0-2 lead.

After Oisin Hasson’s two-pointer the Wolfhounds took control.

Harry McLaughlin landed a two-point free, and efforts from Ruairi Hasson and Cormac Quigley pushed Limavady’s lead out to seven.

The impressive Shea Birt kicked Greenlough’s first score in 20 minutes, another Butcher effort helped Limavady to a commanding 0-10 to 0-3 at the break.

Any ideas of a Greenlough comeback were quickly dispelled in the 3rd minute of the second half.

Cormac Quigley got in behind the visitor’s fullback line to finish low into the corner of Ryan O’Neill’s net.

Limavady were denied a second goal minutes later, but O’Neill was more than equal to Butcher’s goal bound effort.

Niall Loughlin scored a let two-pointer for the visitors, but on the day Greenlough had to answer to the power and pace of their hosts, and in the end Limavady wrapped up a deserving 12-point win in injury time through Harry McLaughlin.

Teams and Scorers:

Limavady: Oran Hartin, Jonathan McStravick, Ben Deery, Darragh Deehan (0-1), Fintan McIvor, Manus Quigley, Oisin Hasson (0-2pt), Tom Deery, Harry McLaughlin (0-4 1 2pf), Harry Butcher (0-3), Richard King (0-1), James McAleese (0-1), Ruairi Hasson (0-2), Cormac Quigley (1-4), Eunan McLaughlin.

Replacements: Kieran McGlinchey for McAleese (51), Aaron McGregor (0-1) for R Hasson (55), Sheagh McLaughlin for E McLaughlin (58).

Greenlough: Ryan O’Neill, Patrick McPeake, Jack McCann, Christopher Kearney, Patrick Kinoulty, Paul Quinn (0-1), Jude Moore (0-2), Brian Og McCallion, Enda McNally, Cathair Kearney, Shea Birt (0-3), Niall Loughlin (0-3 1 2pt), Cillian Moore, Christopher Maguire, Cormac Lagan. Replacements: Joe Kearney for McNally (20), Roger McCann for Maguire (32).

Referee: Mr Barry Cassidy (Bellaghy).

MAIN MAN - Harry McLaughlin (Limavady) - No surprise that all the contenders were in blue and gold. Manus Quigley, Harry Butcher and Richard King were all impressive in the middle third. But Harry McLaughlin just edges his midfield partner Tom Deery for the accolade. His ball winning ability was a joy to watch and the visitors had no answer to his powerful runs through the heart of their defence.

SCORE OF THE MATCH - A score as simple as it was elegant. Oran Hartin’s kick-outs are a big feature of Limavady’s play and his ability to pick out Harry McLaughlin time and time again is even bigger. Two minutes into the second half McLaughlin won another Hartin restart and charged towards goal. He laid off to King to claim the first score of the second half.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH - Oisin Hasson two-pointer (Limavady) - It was a cagey opening quarter but once Hasson, who has found a new lease of life at wing half back knocked over a two-pointer, Limavady relaxed and collectively stepped up a gear. It was the springboard for the Wolfhounds to go into a seven-point lead. A lead that they never looked like throwing away.