Derg Hold On To Claim Minor Title

Saturday 24.08.2024

Interviews

Castlederg defeated Beragh in the Grade 3 Championship Final at Trillick on Saturday morning but only did so by the narrowest of margins 1-10 to 0-12. The winners had to withstand quite a barrage of Beragh pressure late in the game but the one point lead proved sufficient in the end as the north Tyrone side recorded a first championship win since 1988.

It may have been a low scoring game but it had everything in terms of tenacity, commitment, endeavour and skill as Beragh made good use of the elements to go in at the break leading by double scores 0-8 to 0-4. Eoghan Donnelly was outstanding for Beragh while Rory Kerr, Cathair Owens and Sean Mc Cann all made major contributions to their quest for the title.

However the Derg upped the ante after the break with Shea Leonard, Blaine Lynch, Cathaoir Keenan and Corin Mc Connell to the fore. They enjoyed lots of possession and five unanswered points had them in front midway through the second half.

With eight minutes remaining big full forward Mc Connell burst through to hit the net and put the Derg three clear. The same player hit the post shortly after as the Derg sought to put the game beyond their opponents. The final couple of minutes were bedlam as Beragh tried to close the gap. They came close on two occasions but had to settle for points as Castlederg defended manfully with Tom Collins and Jamee Doherty to the fore. Beragh had one last chance to take the game to extra time but the Derg defence remained resolute and seconds later the full time whistle sounded and Castlederg claimed the title on a final score of 1-10 to 0-12.