Glen waltz past Magherafelt to claim third successive Derry senior football title

Glen were comfortable nine point victors against Magherafelt in the Derry decider at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.

THREE IN A ROW: Glen players celebrate their third Derry senior title in a row. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Evan Logan

Glen 1-13 Magherafelt 0-7

Glen waltzed to a third successive Derry senior title in a game of two halves at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Ulster champions trailed 0-5 to 0-2 after 21 minutes but, with man of the match Eunan Mulholland kicking three points, they were level at the break.

His older brother Cathal poked home for the second goal in successive final to open a 1-5 to 0-5 lead after 32 minutes and they never looked back.

Michael Warnock had a fine game in defence and Glen capitalised on Magherafelt’s loss of goalkeeper Odhrán Lynch after 20 minutes with a hamstring injury he carried into the game.

Over the hour, Glen had 10 different scorers including goalkeeper Connlan Bradley, a converted outfield player, curling over when a retreating Rossa defence backed off.

Glen won both throw-ins and had the ball over the bar within 44 seconds when Jack Doherty’s pass released Ciaran McFaul to thump over.

Magherafelt were soon level before Mulholand’s first point but it was Glen’s last score and Magherafelt soon found themselves in the groove.

Lynch, in the role as the extra man, ran at the champions’ defence which lost numerous kick-outs as Magherafelt started to close the spaces on the wings.

Cormac Murphy and Eoin McEvoy hit scores for Rossa who shot into a 0-5 to 0-2 lead with a sweet McLarnon strike.

Glen's Michael Warnock and O'Donovan Rossa's Cormac Murphy. Pic Credit ©INPHO/Evan Logan

Magherafelt lost Lynch at a time when Glen’s defence began to force turnovers and further Mulholland points helped them level.

Conor Glass won the throw-in after the break and soon Glen were ahead for the first time through an Emmett Bradley point.

When the goal came, it was a high ball into the Magherafelt from Ryan Dougan. It wasn’t dealt with and Cathal Mulholland poked to the net after referee Quinn waved away any appeals for a penalty.

From there it turned into a Glen procession. It was total domination with goalkeeper Bradley and skipper Connor Carville also getting in the scoring act.

Shea McGuckin and Shane Heavron were the only Magherafelt scorers in the second half as Glen took control and Warnock, Eunan Mulholland and Glass all pushed forward as they let the charge to glory.

Scorers for Glen: E Bradley, E Mulholland (0-3 each), C Mulholland (1-0), C McFaul, C McGuckian, C Glass, J Doherty, D Tallon (1f), C Bradley, C Carville (0-1 each).

Scorers for Magherafelt: S Heavron, S McGuckin (0-2, 2fs each), P McLarnon, C Murphy and E McEvoy (0-1 each).

Glen: C Bradley; M Warnock, R Dougan, C Carville; E Mulholland, C McFaul, C Mulholland; C Glass, E Bradley; E Doherty, J Doherty, C Convery; D McDermott, D Tallon, C McGuckian.

Subs: T Flanagan for C Mulholland (36), J McDermott for C Convery (47), S O’Hara for D Tallon (60).

Magherafelt: O Lynch; S McErlain, J McErlain, G Lupari; C McCluskey, E McEvoy, C Heron; D Heavron, D Higgins; S McGuckin, R Lennox, P McLarnon; C Murphy, R Walls.

Subs: C McLarnon for O Lynch (INJ 25), C Kearns for R Walls (37), J Murray for S McGuckin (47), E McGuckin for R Lennox (55), F Duffin for G Lupari (57).

Referee: B Quinn (Lavey).