Dominant Lavey march on in high-scoring game against Drumsurn

Drumsurn 1-17 ... Lavey 4-19

Lavey progressed to the last eight after a commanding eleven point win over Drumsurn.

The old adage that goals win matches belies the fact that the Erin’s Own club were worthy winners and could afford to take their foot off the gas midway through the second half.

The giant Lavey goalkeeper Louis Regan caught the eye and a few opposition kick outs to lay the foundation for plenty of attacking football for the south Derry club. Hugh McGurk and Mark McGurk were the pick of a well-conditioned defensive cohort, while two goal Rory McGill was the MVP of the midfielders on show. Up top Lavey could look to any number of players who produced the goods despite missing up to five starters. James McGurk and the ever reliable Niall Toner impressed in the half forward line, while Jamie Duggan, in particular, looked a real class act at inside forward.

Drumsurn players Shea Murray, Dara and Ruairi Rafferty, Cathair Friel and Tiarnan McHugh all battled gamely in a losing cause.

Owenbeg provided the venue, with mighty Benbradagh Mountain the stunning backdrop as the 2025 Derry Senior Club Championship threw-in last week in front of a small but keenly expectant attendance.

Lavey’s highly impressive third place finish in Division One, indeed sharing 20 points with second placed Glen, contrasted favourably with Drumsurn’s mid-table finishing in Division Two. But such are the foibles of the current Derry Club system, both sides locked horns to open the 2025 Derry Senior Club Championship.

But, of course, league form is one thing, Championship football is the more impassioned and valuable currency.

The north Derry side, surprisingly, settled best in the warm summer air. Dara Rafferty’s early two pointer lifted a few backsides off the seats and was the keystone of Drumsurn rapid points as they raced to a quick 0-4 to 0-1 lead.

County star Niall Toner opened the Lavey account before a 13th minute Hugh McGurk goal handed the Erin’s Own a lead they would not relinquish.

Rory McGill lasered one into the roof of the Drumsurn net a short time later as Shay Murrin’s side began to find their rhythm and flow.

Toner then finished a third goal from close range, and when goalkeeper Regan converted a late ’45 it handed Lavey a 3-10 to 0-10 half-time lead. The favourites were beginning to purr.

Indeed, three in a row for Lavey soon after the restart all but sealed the deal for the favourites. Nonetheless, Drumsurn continued to battle, with inside forward Tiarnan McHugh the best of their attackers, helping himself to 1-4 off very little service.

Rory McGill’s second goal in the 53rd minute, however, confirmed Lavey’s impressive victory.

Scorers -

Drumsurn: T McHugh 1-4, S Murray 0-4 (1 tp), C Friel 0-4 (2 f)D Rafferty 0-2 (1 tp), C Mullan 0-1 (1f), T Wood 0-1, N McNicholl 0-1 (1f)

Lavey: R McGill 2-1, N Toner 1-2 (1f), J Duggan 0-5 (1 tp, 1f), H McGurk 1-1, C O’Kane 0-2 (1 tp), R Mulholland 0-2, J McGurk 0-2, L Regan 0-1 (1 ’45), M McGurk 0-1, N Duggan 0-1, L Murphy 0-1

Drumsurn: R Rafferty, F McIntyre, D McNicholl, M McCloskey, E Ferris, C Mullan, S Murray, D Rafferty, T Woods, C Rafferty, N McNicholl, C Friel, R Rafferty, T McHugh, H Foster

Subs: A Duddy for H Foster (41)O Duddy for C Rafferty (41), R Mullen for A Duddy (58), J McCartney for C Mullan (60)

Lavey: L Regan, A Toner, M McGurk, H McGurk, R Mulholland, C Hendry, C Mulholland, R McGill, C Mulholland, J McGurk, N Toner, R McGill, J Duggan, N Duggan, C O’Kane

Subs: D McGurk for H McGurk (43), L Murphy for C Hendry (55)

Referee: H Tohill (Greenlough)