McIver fumes at Tyrone’s “hometown decision” as Bellaghy make All-Ireland final

DERRY boss Brian McIver accused referee David Coldrick of making a “hometown decision” as Tyrone came back to earn a draw with their neighbours in the NFL.

With weather conditions ruining the spectacle in Omagh, the Oakleaf County looked good for the points as they led by four with just six minutes remaining.

Terence O’Brien’s 62nd-minute goal was key to that lead, although they lost Niall Holly to a red card moments later.

Sean Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly, PJ Lavery and Darren McCurry fired over late points to level, with McIver left irate over a challenge on Fergal Doherty that wasn’t given as they tried to see out the win with his son Michael then pinged to allow McCurry to kick the equalising free.

“Decisions were going like that for the great percentage of the night against us,” McIver said afterwards.

Monaghan had a day to forget as they went down by 13 points to Mayo in Castleblar.

Conor McManus, named to start, missed out with a hip injury, Stephen Gollogly and Ryan Wylie were sent off, Dermot Malone picked up a black card and Kieran Duffy was taken off with an ankle injury.

The 3-15 conceded didn’t help either with Monaghan managing 0-11 in reply, Daniel McKenna top-scoring for them with four points.

And with last week’s Congress still fresh in the minds, including the ratification of a new back door championship, 10 years ago this week GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said that the Association were going to look at the Qualifier system due to concerns about how fit for purpose it was.

CHRISTY Toye captained Sligo IT to a third Sigerson Cup in four seasons as they saw off QUB in the final.

Sligo were down to men early on when Jamie Murphy was sent off but they managed to win 0-10 to 0-7 after extra-time.

The big moment in normal time saw Paul Durcan save Brian Mallon’s penalty and restored to 15 for the additional 20 minutes, Sligo were able to push on.

There was a big Ulster derby in Division 1B of the NHL and the bragging rights belonged to Antrim after a comprehensive 3-13 to 0-10 win in Portaferry.

Down had given Tipperary a fright the previous week, so were confident they could at least give the Saffrons a scare on home turf, but it proved to be a stroll in the Port.

Michael Herron got the first Antrim goal in the 15th minute when he rounded off a fine team move with substitute Darren Quinn, who was sent off late on, and Johnny McIntosh adding green flags in the second half.

Derry had to call on all of their experience to fend off a Roscommon fightback.

The Oakleafers had led most of the way but were tagged back twice in the closing stages before Gary Biggs’ late goal sealed the points.

BELLAGHY secured an All-Ireland final date with a 0-13 to 1-6 win over Tuam Stars.

Karl Diamond was star of the show with five magnificent second-half points with Paddy Downey and Danny Quinn shutting down Tuam at the other end.

Kilmacud would be their opponents following a 1-11 to 1-7 win over
Castehaven, Mark Duncan with the goal.

UUJ edged out Sigerson rivals QUB in a quarter-final thriller.

A crowd of 3,000 turned up to watch the match with Queen’s leading 1-4 to 0-4 thanks to a goal from Barry ‘Bumpy’ O’Hagan.

Their opponents took control on the restart though with Ciaran McCabe and Kevin McBride netting to earn a 2-9 to 1-9 win.