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03 Nov 2025
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03 Nov 2025
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Newbridge’s Conor McGrogan snatches the ball from Dunloy’s Eoin O’Neill in the 2025 Ulster Club Senior Football Round 1 at Owenbeg on Saturday. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
Newbridge joint manager Kevin Brady felt Callum McGrogan’s goal was the key score as the Derry champions saw off Dunloy on Saturday night.
The Antrim champions were two points ahead at half-time but Newbridge finished strong to set up Sunday’s clash with Madden.
“It was a tight game,” said Brady, who manages the team with Gary Hetherington.
“Dunloy edged themselves in front, obviously, at the end of the first half with a couple of late two-pointers.
“We knew that we didn't want that lead to grow in the second half. If they can get a bit of a cushion, they'll be very comfortable keeping the ball,” he said of Dunloy’s plan.
“As soon as you rush in, they'll hit you and get their main men, which they have been doing through the Antrim Championship and just increasing their lead.
“We were just glad that we kept in touch at the start of the second half and got ourselves ahead with the goal, which just came at a really good time. We were strong then in the last quarter of the game. It was never comfortable, let’s put it like that, but it was a good battle.”
Newbridge had planned to play against the wind in the first half and Brady was content to be trailing by just two points at the interval.
“Even though we knew that they have led from the tape in the other games, we knew that by giving them the breeze there was always that possibility,” he added, “but we played fairly controlled against that breeze in the first half. Going two points down wasn't the end of the world.”
The prize is a meeting with first time Armagh champions Madden on Sunday and the main priority was getting a handle on what is coming down the tracks.
“I'd say they were there watching us so we'll have to start our homework on
“Ulster Championship is all about going to the Athletic Grounds on a Sunday for a quarter-final. It's something that we've never experienced before.
“Last year was up in Derry (defeat to Clann Éireann) and today here (in Owenbeg) so travelling and playing against and Armagh team at home, it's going to be a big test for us.”
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