Wins for Ballinderry and Dungiven in the Derry SFC race

By Michael McMullan

BELLAGHY and Dungiven will meet again in Round Three of the Derry SFC after Wednesday night’s draw.

Two late goals from substitute Feargal Higgins clinched Dungiven’s 2-14 to 1-13 win over Ballinascreen.

There was high drama in Find Insurance Owenbeg as Ballinderry booked their quarter-final spot.

Tiernan Rocks held his nerve to fire a late penalty to the top corner to clinch a 1-19 to 2-13 win over Glenullin.

It was a showdown of the last two winners of the Ulster Intermediate Championship, with Derry star Gareth McKinless missing for the Shamrocks.

Teenager Conrad Mullan was the talisman for the ‘Glen but his 2-9 tally wasn’t enough on the night.

Michael O’Kane’s side led going into injury time before Rocks dispatched the winner from his penalty.

Ruairi Forbes, Ryan Bell and Niall O’Donnell impressed the previous Friday in victory over Ballinascreen.

They were again to the fire with Shea McCann another important part of Wednesday’s win.

Also on Wednesday night, Dungiven needed a late surge to fend off a Ballinascreen side who hung tough during the second half.

Hurting from a disappointing showing against Bellaghy, Dungiven were three up early on with points form Joe Dillon (2) and Niall McGonigle.

Ballinascreen were level at the end of the first quarter with Ger Dillon’s brilliant two pointer making it 0-4 each.

Dungiven were one ahead at the break and went four clear (0-13 to 0-9) with a score from Eoin Higgins.

Goalkeeper Ryan Scullion’s two-point free left the bare minimum between the teams with the normal time almost up.

Feargal Higgins – older brother of Eoin – bagged a Dungiven goal at the end of a breakaway move, as goalkeeper Kian McGonigle went long with his kick-out.

Noel Rafferty finished to the net for ‘Screen to leave just a point between the sides but as they pressed for an equaliser, Higgins hit the net again to seal victory.

Ballinderry join champions Newbridge, Magherafelt and Glen in the quarter-finals.

They will be seeded in the draw against the winners of Round Three.

ROUND THREE DRAW
Glenullin v Sleacht Néill
Bellaghy v Dungiven
Swatragh v Lavey
Steelstown v Kilrea

RELEGATION PLAY-OFFS
Banagher v Faughanvale
Loup v Ballinascreen

All games on the weekend of September 25-27