01 October 2012
Lámh Dhearg 4-10 Creggan 1-2
Lámh Dhearg defeated Creggan quite comprehensively at Hannahstown on Saturday evening to secure the division one football title after a terrific campaign.
After defeating Ahoghill two weeks ago it meant the Lámhs needed only a point from their final two league encounters to secure the title.
The Lamhs took an early lead in the game when Terry McCrudden received the ball on the right before firing over the bar for an early lead. Then home side dominated in the early exchanges and found the net after four minutes through Paddy Cunningham to establish a four point lead 1-01 – 0-00.
It took Creggan a while to finally find their feet though they grabbed their first score of the game on six minutes, through Martin Johnston. Terry McCrudden scored another point followed by a pointed free from Dermot McCann for the visitors. A second Lamh Dhearg goal, this time from Kevin Quinn goal made the score 2-03 – 0-02 to Lámh Dhearg. Furher points from Marc Jordan and Ryan Murray (2) made a half time score of 2-06 – 0-02.
On the resumption Ryan picked up where he finished the first half, with two more points, followed by a Cunningham pointed free.
However the hosts dominated the remainder of the game, notwithstanding a Mark Mcillvenny consolation goal for Creggan.
The Lámhs ended the game quite ruthlessly with further goals from Declan Lynch and Paddy Cunningham. The final blew to confirm that Lámh Dhearg were crowned champions of the division one football league. Lamh Dhearg will feel it was no more than their strong league campaign deserved, even if their hopes of championship progress were dashed in the early rounds.
Up at Hannastown they will be hoping that if the current Lámh Dhearg squad can stick together and show some the same appetite in 2013 then next year promises to be an equally successive one.
Lamh Dhearg vice captain Brendan McCombe is pictured receiving the league trophy from a delighted Tony McCollum.
