ALL-IRELAND champions Glen were made to battle for a first victory in their 0-10 to 0-8 win in Bellaghy yesterday evening.
The Watties were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead at the break with scores from Eunan Mulholland, Emmett Bradley and Jody McDermott, but they needed a vital save from Connlan Bradley to deny Damon Gallagher.
Bellaghy were without Declan Cassidy, while Ryan Dougan was missing for Glen. Conor Glass came on with 20 minutes to go but they lost Ciaran McFaul who limped off late on.
Glen went six points clear going into the last 10 minutes after scores from Mulholland, Emmett Bradley and Danny McDermott.
Two points each from Gallagher and Charlie Diamond pegged Glen back but it wasn’t enough.
Earlier in the day, Slaughtneil were commanding 1-22 to 0-8 winners at home to Swatragh for their second win of the competition.
Shane McGuigan kicked 0-7 for the home side, who squandered late goal chances that could have added more gloss to the win.
A goal from the impressive Eamon Cassidy helped Mark Doran’s well-drilled side to a 1-8 to 0-4 interval lead.
Swatragh had early scores from brothers James and Patrick Kearney but went 16 minutes without a score as Slaughtneil closed down their kick-out.
The home side hit four points early in the second half through Shane McGuigan (2), Jerome McGuigan and substitute Conor Coyle who finished with three points.
A second-half goal from Niall McGonigle was the key moment in Dungiven’s 2-12 to 1-10 win at home to Kilrea.
Dungiven had the breeze and were out of the blocks with scores from Sean McKeever, Donal McGilligan and Fionntan Murphy.
McGilligan’s goal helped Dungiven into a 1-6 to 0-0 lead but Kilrea then found a way back into contention.
PJ McAleese and James Kielt hit scores before Kielt flicked substitute Rory Maguire’s shot to the net at the back post.
Dungiven were 1-9 to 1-5 ahead at the break but the key moment came in the 44th minute. A loose Kilrea pass was cut out by Sean McKeever. He ran through in space before combining with Joe Dillon and McGonigle hit the net.
James Kielt (2) and Paddy Quigg scored points to pull Kilrea back again but Bobby Butcher’s second score was the Dungiven insurance policy.
Eight points from Shane Heavron helped Magherafelt to a narrow 1-12 to 1-11 win over Lavey at Rossa Park on Saturday afternoon.
When Heavron hit the post with a goal chance, Paddy McLarnon pounced to finish to the net on the way to a 1-2 to no-score lead.
Dan Higgins and Conall Heron also added points for a 1-7 to 0-4 interval lead before Lavey hit back.
Ryan Mulholland’s 1-1 tally helped them back into the game, with points from Rory McGill and Patrick McGurk levelling matters at 1-7 each.
It was nip and tuck with Karl Campbell making a vital save to keep Lavey at bay and Louis Regan’s range of kick-outs a factor for the visitors.
The sides were level four times in the second half with Heavron’s eighth putting Magherafelt ahead before Lavey failed to take their late chances to salvage something from the game.
First-half goals from Conor Doherty and Conor McAteer shot Newbridge on their way to a comfortable 3-16 to 0-7 win away to Loup.
Oisin Doherty hit six points for the winners, who never looked in any danger after leading by 12 points at the break. The ‘Bridge hit their third goal late on with Patrick McMullan finding the net.
The other Saturday same saw Steelstown edge Ballinascreen 0-12 to 0-10 on home soil.
Callum Deery (2), Eoghan Concannon and Ryan Devine were all on target as Steelstown took a three-point interval lead.
Benny Heron and Noel Rafferty hit three points each for Ballinascreen, who had a goal disallowed midway through the second half for square ball.
The home side failed to convert their goal chances but three points over the hour from Devine helped the Brian Ógs to victory.
Round two
Group A Slaughtneil 1-22 Swatragh 0-8; Bellaghy 0-8 Glen 0-10; Dungiven 2-12 Kilrea 1-10
Group B Steelstown 0-12 Ballinascreen 0-10; Magherafelt 1-12 Lavey 1-11; The Loup 0-7 Newbridge 3-16
Round three
Group A
Saturday, August 31 Kilrea v Slaughtneil (2.30pm)
Sunday, September 1 Dungiven v Bellaghy (3.30pm); Swatragh v Glen (5.30pm)
Group B (Owenbeg)
Friday, August 30 Lavey v Ballinascreen (8.15pm)
Saturday, August 31 The Loup v Steelstown (5.30pm); Magherafelt v Newbridge (7.15pm)
