Ulster Junior Hurling club quarter-final
Na Magha (Derry) 1-13 Cootehill Celtic (Cavan) 0-10
I arrived at Breffni Park yesterday evening to catch the closing stages of the Ulster Junior hurling club quarter-final between Na Magha of Derry and Cootehill Celtic, the Cavan champions. It’s the second time I’ve seen the Derry city men this year and once again I was impressed with Alan Grant’s side.
Na Magha, as most of you will know, play in division 3 of the Antrim ACHL and I travelled to Feistown to cover a division 3 game between them and host club Glenarm back in the Summer and while Na Magha were beaten they certainly gave the Shane O’Neill’s a run for their money.
Heading into the second water break Cootehill were in the ascendancy and had cut a six point deficit back to a single point and the momentum was very much with the Cavan champions and serious questions were being asked about the Derry side.
Na Magha answered those questions in style as they regrouped to dominate the final quarter and a superb individual goal from Ruaidhrai McLaughlin put the contest to bed and they now go forward to join Con Magee’s, Glenravel in the semi-final.
Na Magha: Barry Robinson, Adam Rankin, Diarmuid Shiels, Oisin Glass, Feargfhal McAneanney, Brendan Quigley, Tomas lally, Blidhan Glass, Declan Foley, Tommy Gallagher, Michael Lynch, Mark McCloskey, Tim Rankin, Aidan Cutliffe, Ruaidhri McLaughlin.
Ruaidhrai McLaughlin (15) turns away in celebration after scoring the goal that send Na Magha on their way to the Ulster club semi-final
Tomas Lally looks up before delivering the sliotar to his Na Magha forward line 
Full-back Diarmuid Shiels closes the door as Cootehill’s JamesMcKitterick threatens late in the game 
Job well done! Michael Lynch leaves the pitch at Breffni park after helping Na Magha overcome the challenge of Cootehill Celtic