Comfortable win for Eoghan Rua in league

Although it did liven up in the last quarter when home side Banagher staged a bit of a comeback but Eoghan Rua banged in a second goal to run out comfortable enough winners on a score of 2-14 to 0-13.

With nothing at stake both teams were short a few regulars, one eye now on the upcoming senior football championship starting in a couple of weeks time.

Conditions were difficult with a stiff downfield wind and constant heavy drizzle, whatever advantage there was Eoghan Rua had the elements in their favour in the first half.

They got off to a fine start. Winning the throw-in the ball was moved out wide right where Liam McGoldrick hit a fine long diagonal pass inside, Colm McGoldrick won the ball low in front, beating his man on the turn before tucking a neat drive low to the corner of the net.

A bit of a shock for the home side but they came back well and by the 12th minute they had fired over four points to draw level at 1-1 to 0-4, Shane Farren (2), Gavin O’Neill and Eoin Devine getting Banagher’s scores.

However Eoghan Rua went on to dominate the thrd quarter as they hit an unanswered ten points in a row to lead 1-11 to 0-4 by half-time.

The visitors were well on top around the middle, Liam McGoldrick, Shea McLaughlin and Barry McGoldrick garnering an ocean of possession that was delivered quickly into the forward line where Colm McGoldrick and Conor Carey were causing most of the problems.

McGoldrick hit five of those nine points while Conor Carey, Ciaran Gaile, young midfielder Shea McLaughlin, Ruari Mooney and Ciaran McGoldrick were also on target.

The sides exchanged two points each early in the second half with Shane Farren popping over a couple of frees in reply to fien points from Conor Carey and Shea McLaughlin.

Banagher then had their best spell of the game as they threatened to overturn that ten point deficit. Points from Stefan McCloskey and Ciaran Lynch set them on their way by the end of the third quarter.

Then Banagher set siege to the Eoghan Rua goal as they hit four points inside a three minute period, Lynch again, Tiarnan Moore (2), Ciaran Lynch and Darragh Cartin scoring.

When substitute Conor Feeney scored a fine point from the right side there was just three between the sides and five minutes left.

At that stage Banagher had all the momentum and looked like they would turn the tide completely.

The siege was lifted however as a well worked move ended with a Conor Carey point three minutes from time.

Then the game was settled as Ruari Mooney palmed to the net from close range after goalkeeperr Killian McDermott twice blocked out shots.

Banagher’s league campaign was completed while Eoghan Rua have an outstanding game against Swatragh to complete.

Magherafelt had a big win over Kilrea to top the table and win the league for the first time.

Meanwhile Newbridge take the drop to Division 2 while local side Glenullin, the Division 2 champions will replace them in Division 1 next season.

The decks have now been cleared for the senior football championship which got under way on Sunday evening wih a preliminary round tie which Glen won handsomely on a score of 3-12 to 0-7.

Eoghan Rua: Ryan McGeough; Barry Daly, Niall Holly, Ciaran Lagan; Ruari Mooney, Barry McGoldrick, Ciaran Lenehan; Liam McGoldrick, Shea McLaughlin; Mark McTaggart, Ciaran McGoldrick, Ciaran Gaile; Stephen Coyles, Colm McGoldrick, Conor Carey.

Substitutions: Paul Daly for C Lenehan (ht), Richard Carey for M McTaggart (ht), Pearse Dallas for N Holly (45), Paddy Mullan for C Gaile (50), for C Mullan (12).

Eoghan Rua scorers: Colm McGoldrick (1-5, 0-3 frees), Ruari Mooney (1-1), Conor Carey (0-4), Shea McLaughlin (0-2), Ciaran McGoldrick and Ciaran Gaile (0-1 each).