Bellaghy wobble but recover to book final place

Bellaghy (Derry) 0-16 St Eunan’s (Donegal) 3-6

Bellaghy bounced back in the final minutes of today’s fonaCAB Ulster Minor Football tournament semi-final at St Paul’s to book their place in the New Year’s Day final against Crossmaglen. A minute into the second half the Derry champions appeared to be in cruise control as they led St Eunan’s Letterkenny by 0-11 to 0-1 and the only thing that appeared to be in question was the size of their winning margin. However when Bellaghy midfielder Conleth McShane spurned a great chance to put the icing on the cake with a Bellaghy goal the Donegal champions took advantage of their stay of execution to dramatically turn the game on its head.

**Bellaghy full forward Paul Cassidy in action against St Eunan’s Domnhall Higgins Pic by John McIlwaine**

St Eunan’s appeared at odds with themselves as they ‘footered’ and fumbled their way through a first half in which Bellaghy were dominant. With their defence in total control, midfielder Kealan Friel lording it in the middle and Lorcan Spier and Paul Cassidy creating no end of problems up front, they picked of a series of great scores. Nothing was going right for the Donegal side who could only muster one score in the first half and it came from a Conor O’Donnell free.

When the Donegal boys came out five minutes early from their half time break it was clear they wanted to at least make a fight of it, but when Bellaghy forged further ahead with another Lorcan Spier point the task got even harder. The Blues midfielder Conleth McShane really should have sealed it a minute later when he was put through on goal following an excellent flowing move, but he shot wide when scoring appeared to be easier and suddenly there was a chink of light for the Donegal boys.

**Conor O’Donnell (11) breaths life into the St Eunan’s challenge with a well taken goal. Pic by John McIlwaine**

Even when Conor O’Donnell grabbed their first goal it looked like it would be a mere consolation, but when Peter McEniff grabbed a second soon afterwards the whole mood changed. It was Bellaghy who now seemed ponderous and when St Eunan’s grabbed their third goal from the penalty spot to take the lead the Derry champions appeared to be treading water. To their credit they weathered the storm and points from Conleth McShane and Paul Cassidy had them level. It still looked like anyone’s game but Bellaghy had turned the tide again and they sealed the win with a point from the excellent Lorcan Spier two minutes from time.

Bellaghy: Daire McErlean, Ronan McFaul (0-1), Cormac McLarnon, James Diamond, Peter McErlean, Conan Milne, Odhran Lee, Conleth McShane (0-1), Kealan Friel (0-2), Oisin McErlean, Lorcan Spier (0-6, 3 frees), Charlie Diamond (0-3, 2 frees), Paul Cassidy (0-3), Ronan Lee.

Subs: Oisin McClafferty for O Lee, Sean Turner for O McErlean, Fearghall Murray for C Diamond.

St Eunan’s: Eoin O’Boyle, Michael Gallagher, Anthony Gallagher, Conor McKinney, Peter McEniff (1-0), Sean Ryan, Domhnall Higgins, James Kelly (0-1), Eoin Dowling, Sean Breen, Conor O’Donnell (2-2, 2 frees, 1 pen), Ronan McGeehin, Cormac Finn (0-1), Padraig McGettigan, Oisin McGarvey (0-2).

Subs: Ciaran Moore for E Dowling, Odhrán Winston for C Finn.

Referee: Brendan Toland (Lamh Dhearg)