Conor Doherty, Newbridge, and Conor Glass, Glen, in Derry SFC Final action. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
Derry SFC Final
Newbridge 1-12 Glen 2-8
By Michael Wilson at Celtic Park
Corner back Ciaran Brooks was the unlikeliest of championship heroes as Newbridge ended Glen's reign as All Ireland club champions with a injury time winning point that gave the O'Leary's a first Oak Leaf title in 35 years.
Ryan Dougan's last minute goal looked to have salvaged extra-time for Malachy O'Rourke's reigning champions only for Mark Doherty to dig out a 61st minute pass that gave corner back Brooks the opportunity to upset the odds and claim an 11th Oak Leaf title for Newbridge, their first win since Liam Devlin's two goals defeated Castledawson back in 1989.
It was a thrilling finale which swung one way, then the other but Gary Hetherington's men were fully deserving an historic victory which inflicted only a second ever championship defeat on O'Rourke during his tenure as Watty Graham's manager. It also meant Glen were denied becoming only the third team in history to win four successive Oak Leaf senior titles.
Newbridge started with the breeze at their backs and settled well into what was their first senior final in 33 years. With Conleth McGrogan detailed on Glen dangerman Ethan Doherty and Conor Doherty facing off against county colleague Conor Glass, it was the O'Leary's Sean Young, who struck the game's opening point with just 60 seconds on the clock of a half which would see the teams level four times.
The opening score settled the underdogs, but Glen's possession game kicked in with Tiarnan Flanagan levelling on four minutes before a foul on Young brought Oisin Doherty the first of three first half points.
Glen were level for a second time with a disputed Ethan Doherty point but by and large the trend had been set of Glen possession and Newbridge counter in which Mark Doherty was an excellent attacking spark.
With Emmet Bradley finding his own range from the first of three frees, Glen were twice in front through the big midfielder only to be pegged back by, first, a lovely Patrick McMullan point, and then an Oisin Doherty free.
At four points apiece, Newbridge finally got a bit of daylight between themselves and the holders when a malfunctioning kick-out gave Oisín Doherty an easy score before Conleth McGrogan hit the point of the half for 0-6 to 0-4 on 19 minutes.
Emmet Bradley reduced the deficit from another placed ball only for Odhran McGlone to re-instore Newbridge's two point lead and send the underdogs into the break leading 0-7 to 0-5.
Glen introduced Johnny McGuckian at the break with most spectators expecting what has become Glen's trademark third quarter surge, but it was slower than usual coming as Newbridge dug in. Indeed it was the O'Leary's who struck first, that man Oisin Doherty taking the lead out to three courtesy of a 34th minute free.
A Michael Warnock interception was followed by a drive forward that brought the free from which Danny Tallon made it 0-8 to 0-6 and with Jack Doherty making an impressive cameo off the Glen bench, Tiarnan Flanagan made it a one point game with just over 40 minutes gone.
Sean Young grabbed his second of the day to take Newbridge out to 0-9 to 0-7 before Conleth McGuckin hit Glen's opening goal which saw the Watty's take full advantage of Glass' excellent turnover, McGuckian slipping a nice low finish under James Gribben for a 1-8 to 0-9 lead.
When Glass extended that lead with a well struck '45' it looked like a fourth year in the Watty's trophy cabinet for the John McLaughlin trophy. But Newbridge weren't reading the script.
With nine minutes remaining Conor McAteer's high centre was touched home on the line by full forward Shane McGrogan, the man whose goal defeated Magherafelt in the semi-final, to put the O'Leary's one point up.
One became three thanks to points from McAteer and Tiarnan Flanagan and Newbridge had the finishing line in sight. Dougan's goal looked to have stolen the dream only for Brooks to pop up as the unlikeliest of championship heroes. Breathless, brilliant stuff and a day nobody in Newbridge is likely to forget.
Scorers for Newbridge: Oisin Doherty 0-4 (3fs), Shane McGrogan 1-0, Sean Young 0-2, Patrick McMullan 0-1, Conleth McGrogan 0-1, Odhran McGlone 0-1, Conor McAteer 0-1, Ciaran Brooks 0-1.
Scorers for Glen: Conleth McGuckian 1-0, Ryan Dougan 1-0, Emmet Bradley 0-3 (3fs), Tiarnan Flanagan 0-2, Ethan Doherty 0-1, Danny Tallon 0-1 (f), Conor Glass 0-1 (45'), Mark Doherty 0-1.
Newbridge: James Gribben, Ciaran Brooks, Killian Burke, Mark McGrogan, Mark Doherty, Patrick McMullan, Conor McGrogan, Sean Young, Callum McGrogan, Conor McAteer, Odhran McGlone, Shane McGrogan, Oisin Doherty.
Subs: Aidan MCGlone for O McGlone, 61mins.
Glen: Connlan Bradley, Michael Warnock, Ryan Dougan, Connor Carville, Tiarnan Flanagan, Danny McDermott, Jody McDermott, Conor Glass, Emmett Bradley, Conor Convery, Eunan Mulholland, Cathal Mulholland, Conleth McGuckian, Danny Tallon, Ethan Doherty.
Subs: Johhny McGuckian for Cathal Mulholland, HT; Jack Doherty for C Convery, 38mins; Stevie O'Hara for D Tallon, 55mins.
Referee: Martin McErleane.
