Newbridge hold off Magherafelt to retain Derry title
Padraig McGrogan of Newbridge shoots to score despite the efforts of Caolan Higgins of Magherafelt. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Champions Newbridge kept their hands on the John McLaughlin Cup after a dramatic finale to Sunday’s showdown at Celtic Park.
Despite leading by six points going into the final quarter, Rossa pegged Newbridge back to a single point on two occasions in the closing stages.
A stoppage time point from Eamon Young, their eighth scorer on the day, edged Newbridge two ahead before the last moment of drama.
Magherafelt were awarded 55-metre free with a chance to force extra-time but goalkeeper Shea McGuckin pulled his shot wide of the posts.
When goalkeeper Nathan Rocks found man of the match Conor McGrogan from the ‘Bridge kick-out, they kept the ball under pressure to secure a back-to-back title.
“It's sweet, it really is and it's far better than last year,” said a proud Newbridge joint manager Gary Hetherington.
“We knew that nobody gave us a chance this year. We knew that people were saying we won it too early (in 2024), that it was a fluke and we shouldn't have beat Glen.
“We heard all that from outside the club, obviously, but that's why it's a wee bit sweeter this year.”
Yesterday's belter was a game Newbridge controlled for long periods after recovering from Shane Heavron’s 10th-minute goal.
The Rossa captain scored all of the Rossa 1-5 in the first half and had the ball over the bar for the opening point.
The champions came with the perfect response when Callum McGrogan followed a high Conor Doherty ball to fist to the net after four minutes.
Heavron responded for Magherafelt and he finished 10th minute goal after a goalmouth scramble for a 1-4 to 1-2 lead.
Newbridge began to take a grip of the game and with Sean Young on target with three points, they edged into a 1-6 to 1-5 interval lead.
A McGuckin free levelled matters early in the second half before Conor McAteer made a score for Oisin Doherty and Paudi McGrogan kicked the champions two ahead to begin a tightening of the screw.
As Newbridge began to control the middle third a Conor McAteer two pointer had them 1-11 to 1-6 before Cahir Spiers responded for Rossa.
Sean Young may have added a goal only for a brilliant save from Shea McGuckin in the 42nd minute.
Paudi McGrogan and Cormac Murphy exchanged points as the game headed into the final quarter.
When Mark Doherty won a kick-out, brother Oisin thumped a two pointer for a six-point lead.
Heavron came with a perfect response with a two-point free after a breach but Newbridge still held control on the crucial middle third.
Scores from Heavron, Dan Higgins and Conor McCluskey had the margin back to a single point with eight minutes to play.
McAteer and Eamon Young nailed two vital scores that effectively won the game before Newbridge survived the late scare when McGuckin’s monster free tailed wide.
On the kick-out, Conor McGrogan, who gave away the free seconds earlier, secured possession and Newbridge were on the way to dreamland and 12th title.
S Heavron 1-8 (2tpf, 1f), D Higgins (tp), C Murphy 0-2 each, S McGuckin, C Spiers and C McCluskey 0-1 each
C McAteer 0-5 (1tp), O Doherty 0-4 (1tp), Callum McGrogan 1-1, S Young 0-3, P McGrogan 0-2, C Doherty 0-1 and E Young 0-1 each
: S McGuckin; J Murray, M McEvoy, C Heron; S McErlain, C McCluskey, R Small; D Higgins, E McEvoy; A McCluskey, C Spiers, P McLarnon; Conall Higgins, S Heavron, C Murphy
Subs: Caolan Higgins for McLarnon (INJ 17), R Walls for Spiers (39), C Crozier for A McCluskey (44)
: N Rocks; S McGrogan, M McGrogan; P McMullan, Conor McGrogan, P McGrogan; C Doherty, Callum McGrogan, Conleth McGrogan; E Young, M Doherty, C McAteer; S McAteer; S Young, O Doherty Subs: C McBride for S McAteer (53), O McGlone for McMullan (58)
: R Donoghue (Slaughtneil)
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