Derry SFC: Late McDermott goal seals Glen victory over Slaughtneil
MATCH WINNER: Jody McDermott of Glen. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
A FISTED goal from Jody McDermott helped All-Ireland champions Glen to victory against neighbours Slaughtneil at Owenbeg on Sunday.
The Watties were two points behind at the break before their resurgent third quarter saw them hold the Emmet’s scoreless for 32 minutes.
A fisted point from Padraig Cassidy reduced the margin to a single point before McDermott fisted a Eunan Mulholland cross to the net.
Substitute Sé McGuigan managed a late score but Slaughtneil’s wasteful spell came back to bite against the champions who controlled the middle third.
When they penned Slaughtneil in on their own kick-out, Glen grew back into the game with Ethan Doherty and Michael Warnock the star men on show.
Glen’s win came without Ciaran McFaul while Jack Doherty – who hasn’t played since their All-Ireland semi-final over Kilmacud Crokes – also an unused sub.
“Delighted,” was the Michael Warnock’s reaction to booking a fourth consecutive final spot.
“Any time you win against Slaughtneil is a good day considering the quality they have; they have three All-Stars in that squad and numerous county players.
“We were missing Ciaran (McFaul) and Jack (Doherty) and it made it extra tough for us. It meant a number of us had to stand up.”
With the wind at their backs, it Slaughtneil who settled best. Goalkeeper Jack Cassidy passed for Jerome McGuigan to chip over.
When Glen lost their kick-out, a scrappy ball, Christopher Bradley and Cormac O’Doherty combined before Shane McGuigan slotted over to double their lead.
Both Emmett Bradley and Shane McGuigan struggled with their kicks into the breeze but it was Bradley who got Glen off the mark after Ethan Doherty injected pace into their attack Doherty was again the provider when Tallon slotted over before the game’s first goal chance. It felt to Meehaul McGrath who was denied by Warnock’s dive.
Brendan Rogers kicked Slaughtneil 0-5 to 0-2 ahead in the 23rd minute but it was their last score until their late throws of the dice.
Conor Convery had Glen going down the tunnel with positivity after he stroked over to leave two between the sides.
The was a more potent animal inside the Glen jerseys in the second half. There was fire but there was calmness in equal measure. When Ethan Doherty was fouled by Chrissy McKaigue, Tallon tapped over the free.
This is when Glen turned up the heat. A foul on half-time sub Johnny McGuckian gave Tallon the chance to level matter, 0-5 each, after 36 minutes.
Glen were buoyed and it took a Jack Cassidy save to deny Tiarnan Flanagan a goal with Glass stroking over to give the champions a lead they never lost.
Shea Cassidy won the kick-out with his first touch but when Shane McGuigan pulled his shot wide, Glen worked the kick-out short with Warnock’s piercing run resulting in an inspirational score with the game well and truly on the turn.
Two booming scores from McGuckian and Glass dropped over for a 0-9 to 0-5 lead. But any thoughts of comfort were premature.
Slaughtneil switched things up with Sé McGuigan and Patsy Bradley coming on. They began to press Glen’s kick-out with the later red carded Padraig Cassidy (2) and Christopher Bradley kicking scores to leave an exciting finish.
Then came the final twist. Mulholland kicked in from the wing before McDermott applied the finish, beating Eamon Cassidy to the dropping ball.
It was enough to take Glen to a final and Warnock hopes they are beginnng to pick up momentum with a Celtic Park decider now in view.
“In previous years, we have kicked on around the quarter final and semi-final stage,” he said.
“Hopefully that is the start of it today with our performances. We were under no illusions. It was going to take absolutely everything today and thankfully we got thar performance.”
The champions now face Newbridge who were 1-7 to 1-4 winners over Magherafelt on Saturday night. It was a Shane McGrogan’s flicked goal that booked the ‘Bridge’s first final appearance in 33 years.
J McDermott 1-0, D Tallon 0-3 (2f), C Glass (45) 0-2, C McGuckian, C Convery, E Bradley and M Warnock 0-1 each
Shane McGuigan (1f), P Cassidy, C Bradley 0-2 each. J McGuigan (0-1, B Rogers 0-1 and Se McGuigan 0-1 each
C Bradley; M Warnock, R Dougan, C Carville; T Flanagan, D McDermott, J McDermott; C Glass, E Bradley; C Convery, E Mulholland, C Mulholland; E Doherty, C McGuckian; D Tallon
J McGuckian for Convery (HT)
J Cassidy; K McKaigue, Chrissy McKaigue, E Cassidy; C Bradley, P McNeill, F McEldowney; B Rogers, J McGuigan, P Cassidy; Shane McGuigan, Cahal McKaigue, R Ó Mianáin; M McGrath, C O'Doherty
Shea Cassidy for Cahal McKaigue (39), P Bradley for McGrath (48), Sé McGuigan for C Doherty (48), K Feeney for McNeill (51) Referee: B Cassidy (Bellaghy)
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
