Newbridge end wait: 'For this club to be in an Ulster Club semi-final is massive'
Shane McGrogan of Newbridge in action against Darragh McMullen of Madden during the AIB Ulster GAA Football Senior Club Championship quarter-final match between Madden and Newbridge at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Newbridge booked a first Ulster semi-final since 1970 with victory over Madden on Sunday in Armagh.
The Derry champions led by a point at the break before purring into control early in the second-half.
A 45 from Paudi McGrogan, followed by two scores from captain and man of the match Conor McAteer shot the ‘Bridge into the driving seat.
Madden had a spell of control but were wasteful in front of the posts with Oisin Doherty, Sean and Eamon Young adding Newbridge scores to seal victory.
“We were probably not as ruthless as we would have liked but we went in at half-time point up and we thought we'd dominated the first half,” outlined Newbridge joint manager Gary Hethertington.
“We were dangerous and we probably left a few scores behind us. We came out in the second half and it was maybe more comfortable than the Dunloy game because we were that four or five lead nearly the whole way through the (second) half.”
All-Ireland winner Darragh McMullen was the star man in the Armagh final but Mark McGrogan had an excellent hour tagging him and scored a point himself. Conor Doherty and Niall Grimley went toe to toe in the midfield sector.
After a sustained spell of possession, it was Madden opened the scoring early in the game with Donal Rafferty kicking from the wing.
Conor McAteer and Mark McGrogan kicked Newbridge into the lead before Conor Grimley’s free levelled the game after 10 minutes.
Patrick McMullan fisted a glorious goal hance over the bar with brothers Eamon and Sean Young adding scores for a 0-5 to 0-2 lead.
Conor Grimley burled two sweet outside of the boot efforts for Madden. Niall Smith curled a score to level proceedings again before an Oisin Doherty free edged the ‘Bridge into a 0-8 to 0-7 interval lead.
Paudi McGrogan hit a 45 for Newbridge’s first score of the second half with Conor McAteer adding two scores for a four-point lead.
Grimley (free) and Paul Comiskey replied for Madden before a fourth Conor McAteer was the perfect Newbridge response.
Madden missed four chances in succession in the middle of the half despite having plenty of possession, Newbridge holding a four-point lead, 0-13 to 0-10.
The Derry champions tagged on scores to seal their semi-final spot despite having a late Conleth McGrogan goal chance saved by goalkeeper Sheridan.
Newbridge now play Scotstown after their victory over Naomh Conaill at Clones.
“For this club to be in an Ulster Club semi-final is massive no matter who we are playing,” Hetherington said of what will be Newbridge’s eighth ever game in the competition.
“It is Scotstown, but we have to go in with the belief and the attitude that we are going to win the game and get to the final. If we go in with that and we play well, God knows where it will take us.” For Madden, they will live to regret passing up chances in the middle of the second half.
“I thought they played very well,” Madden joint manager Adrian O’Donnell said of Newbridge.
“I thought we left some scores behind us, especially in the second half, but I can't stand here and say anything other than, all-in-all, over the 60 minutes, whilst we're disappointed to leave three, four, five scores behind us in the second half, I think probably Newbridge deserved it over the course of the game.”
O Doherty 0-5 (4f), C McAteer 0-4, P McGrogan (1 45), S Young, E Young (0-2 each), M McGrogan, S McGrogan and P McMullan (0-1 each)
C Grimley 0-8 (2tp, 1tpf, 2f), N Smith, D Rafferty, P Comiskey and N Grimley (0-1 each)
N Rocks; P McGrogan, S McGrogan, S McAteer; Callum McGrogan, M McGrogan, Conor McGrogan; C Doherty, Conleth McGrogan; P McMullan; M Doherty, C McAteer; E Young; S Young, O Doherty
C McBride for M Doherty (57), D McColgan for E Young (60), K Burke for S McAteer (60), O McGlone for McMullan (63)
J Sheridan; S Vallely, E O’Hagan, P Lappin; O O’Hara, D Rafferty, N Smith; N Grimley; C Donnelly; D Crilly, D McMullen, C Rafferty; A McKenna; J Sheridan, C Grimley
E Grimley for Crilly (HT), P Comiskey for McKenna (36), J Murphy for Donnelly (50), L Grimley for Lappin (53) Yellow cards: D Rafferty (30+3), N Grimley (58), N Smith (59)
S Hurson (Tyrone)
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