IT is Newbridge who will play senior football in 2018 after they edged home after a pulsating contest at home to Steelstown on Sunday afternoon.

It was a winner takes all game and the sides were level on six different occasions.  With eight minutes to go, a Danny Mulholland point opened up a two point lead and in the context of the game it was a massive lead.

Paul O’Hea will be left to rue Steelstown taking their foot off the gas in the second-quarter after the Ballyarnett side got off to the best possible start.

After five minutes goals from Emmett Deane and Ruairi McKeever rattled the ‘Bridge and led 2-1 to 0-0.  Paddy Bradley's side didn’t panic and with Sean Patrick McCann to the fore they worked their way back into the game and by the interval a ’45’ from Mark Foley gave the visitors a slender one point lead.

The second-half was nip and tuck until Newbridge began to get to grips at midfield and along their half-back line.  Nathan Rocks, Conor Doherty and Ciaran Brooks were picking up quick kick-outs from goalkeeper Michael O’Neill and forcing Newbridge forward.

Steelstown were battling right to the end with late points from Darren McDaid and Mickey McKinney, but it was Newbridge who forced themselves clear.

Newbridge: Michael O’Neill, Caolan McGrogan, Ciaran Devlin, Declan McKeever, Nathan Rocks (0-1), Conor McGrogan, Ciaran Brooks (0-1), James Gilmore, Conor Doherty (0-1), Odhran McGlone (0-1), Paddy McGuigan, Danny Mulholland (0-5, 3f), Kevin Sweeney (0-9, 7f), Eamon Burke, Sean Patrick McCann.

Subs: Ryan McElhone for E Burke (47), Jude Diamond for O McGlone (47), Aidan McGlone for SP McCann (58), Oisin Coleman for C Devlin (61).

Steelstown: Marty Dunne, Diarmuid Baker, Shane O’Connor, Kevin Lindsay, Neil Forester, Liam Heffernan, Eoghan Concannon, Darren McDaid (0-2), Seb Crudden, Emmett Deane (1-0), Ruairi McKeever (1-0), Gareth Logue, Mark Foley (0-7, 5f, 1 ‘45’), Paul Ferris (0-1f), Ryan Devine.

Subs: Andy Moore for E Concannon (27), Eoghan Bradley for G Logue (37), Emmett McBride for S Crudden (44), Mickey McKinney (0-1) for E Deane (47).

Referee: Adrian McGilligan.

More in this week's Derry News and County Derry Post.

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