McQuillan goal leads Loup to Derry crown

Loup 1-8 Dungiven 0-10

In one of the most hard-fought finals in years, Enda McQuillan's 52nd-minute goal proved decisive as Loup claimed the Derry SFC crown at Celtic Park.

This afternoon's county decider had the large attendance on the edge of their seats throughout.

In ideal conditions, it was Dungiven who looked most likely to lift the John McLaughlin Cup in the opening stages.

Eugene Kelly's charges were in superb form as they raced into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But Loup made amends on the restart and they chipped away at Dungiven's lead.

McQuillan's late goal nudged his side into a three-point advantage with eight minutes remaining.

To their credit, Dungiven battled back strongly with two late points to cut the deficit to the minimum in injury-time.

The momentum was now with Dungiven but they could find a levelling score and Loup were left to celebrate their second Derry SFC title this decade and first since 2003.