MAGHERAFELT took another step towards the league title with a comprehensive win (1-14 to 0-6) over Banagher on Wednesday night.
Ronan Young (1-3), Emmett McGuckin and Michael Lynch (0-3 each) were the chief scorers leaving Kevin Coary’s side just one win away from the title.
Slaughtneil had already defeated Kilrea on Tuesday night (0-18 to 1-8) to keep the heat on Magherafelt.
Rossa will host Kilrea in the vital game on Sunday at 2.30.
Other games on Sunday involving the contenders are:
- Ballinascreen v Slaughtneil
- Ballinderry v Loup
However with’ Screen and Slaughtneil having one eye on the hurling championship next week it will leave Sunday an interesting day.
Also in midweek, at the other end of the table Newbridge needed to beat Dungiven to keep their survival hopes alive.
Dungiven 0-14 Newbridge 0-11
Dungiven just about edged out a very defiant Newbridge as they battled with great heart to keep their hopes alive of staying in Division 1. With only 10 minutes remaining is was 10 points each and the game was very much in the balance, however four unanswered points effectively ended their hopes of a first victory of the season and although they threw everything at the St Canice's defence in injury time it just wasn't meant to be and it ended 0-14 0-11.
Dungiven started brightly and were three points up in as many minutes courtesy of McElhinney (2) and O'Neill and it seemed that it was going to be a good night for the home team. By the 12th minute they still led 0-6 to 0-3 and were still looking comfortable.
However the visitors had other ideas and they began to up the intensity and showed that they were not going to be easily beaten as they fired over four unanswered points and totally controlled the last 15 minutes of the first half. An injury time point from Johnston left it all square 0-7 each at the break.
The teams exchanged early scores in the opening minutes of the second half but a period was to follow where neither team could put the ball over the bar. By the end of the third quarter it was 0-9 each and the teams couldn't be separated.
Then the most controversial moment of the game took place as Gavin McLaughlin caught a great ball at the edge of the square and as he went to burst out of defence the referee blew his whistle.
He awarded the visitors a penalty and booked McLaughlin for charging. It really was a shock to everyone and Newbridge had been thrown a lifeline.
The resultant spot kick hit the post to the relief of the home team and it was still all to play for. The next ten minutes continued to be a struggle for scores a draw looked the likely outcome.
However Dungiven's late surge proved the difference in the end but Newbridge certainly didn't go down without a fight and showed that they are a quality team with some great players and will be back playing Division 1 football very soon.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.