Brilliant Start To Intermediate Championship

Friday 28.08.2026

Championship Football

What an introduction to the Connollys of Moy Intermediate Championship with the opening contest providing an eight goal thriller. Despite conceding five goals Derrylaughan proved too strong for Killeeshil in Stewartstown.

The game began at a serious pace as the sides shared eight points in the opening ten minutes. Eoghan O’Neill and James Donnelly each hitting a couple of points in the opening exchanges. The movement of the Killeeshil full forward line was causing problems to the Loughshore men and they were rewarded when Eoghan O’Neill calmly fired to the net in the 12th minute having been set up by Luke Donnelly. Derrylaughan were almost level minutes later but Michael Conlan saved from Caoilean Hughes.

The second goal arrived in the 18th minute when a bit of brilliance from Luke Donnelly saw him win the ball in front of the scoreboard before cutting inside and then out before hitting an unstoppable shot past Niall Robinson. Andre Devlin and Liam Gervin cut the deficit but when a super through ball from Donaghy found Donnelly he fed Michael Carty for the third in just over ten minutes and the lead was six. A Niall Robinson two point free saw Killeeshil lead 3-5 0-10 at the break.

Remarkably by the 34th minute Derrylaughan were in front. A classy finish from Ciaran Gervin with his first touch after being introduced at the resumption was followed by a two pointer from Shane Scullion. Paul O’Neill scored for Killeeshil but it provided little respite as Derrylaughan poured on the pressure. James Donnelly was on target before Brian Kennedy boomed over a two pointer and then his midfield partner and Go man of the match Shane Scullion cut through the Killeeshil defence and smashed to the net. Hughes and a two pointer from Andre Devlin completed the third quarter blitz which resulted in 2-8 and ensured the Kevin Barry’s passage into the last eight.

The excellent Luke Donnelly ran on to great ball from Paul O’Neill to hit the net in the 50th minute but any hopes of a revival were short lived as James Donnelly repeated the act in the following attack.

Cormac Donaghy grabbed an injury time fifth goal but there was little time left and Derrylaughan ran out victors following a thoroughly enjoyable game.

Full Time Derrylaughan 3-20 5-10 Killeeshil