Ballymaguigan one step from retaining title

By Michael McMullan

THE last two winners meet in Saturday’s Derry Junior Championship final and Ballymaguigan’s Tomás Brady sees it as a 50-50 game with both teams knowing each other inside out.

The reigning champions take on 2022 winners Craigbane (Celtic Park, 1pm) aiming to keep their hands on the title.

Brady was the star man with 0-5 to his name from Sunday’s semi-final win over Lissan with Ciaran McIvor bagging two goals.

“We know what Craigbane are like and they know what we are like,” Brady said of the familiarity going into Saturday’s decider. Craigbane came through when they locked horns in the 2022 semi-final.

“It’s probably a 50-50 game, it’s probably the final people wanted too but hopefully we come out the right side.”

Without mentioning his own pivotal involvement, Brady pointed to the runs of Shea Bradley, Tom Crozier at midfield and McIvor’s input as the key to seeing off Lissan after Iarlaith Donaghy’s penalty had reeled them back in.

“He’s always in your ear…he’s probably looking the ball every time,” Brady said of McIvor, who has bagged 8-10 on the way to the final.

“It’s that outlet, you can just pump it in and you know he has safe handsIf he’s not getting the ball, he’s getting a hand to and causing trouble.”

Getting to the last four guaranteed a place in intermediate football next season after Derry’s latest championship reshuffle. It was a tall order without the entire full back line from last season with leading forward Daniel Bradley also missing. A hamstring injury keeps Paudie Martin out of action.

“I’d say nobody gave us a chance,” Brady points out. “We lost three players to Canada. Cathal Doyle came back in there to do a job at full-back job. Unfortunately, he did his cruciate and he is a big loss.”