AIB Ulster Club SFC: Newbridge too strong for Madden

AIB Ulster Club SFC quarter-final

Madden 0-12 Newbridge 0-18

By Steve Malone at the Box-IT Athletic Grounds

Newbridge will face Scotstown in the Ulster championship semi-finals after a comfortable win over Madden.

The Derry champions were deserved six-point winners in Armagh’s Box-IT Athletic Grounds with Conor Doherty and Conor McAteer particularly impressive.

Madden, who only two weeks ago won their maiden county title, can have no complaints, they probably left a few scores behind in the second half, but it was Newbridge that ruled the roost with their pace and power.

Oisin Doherty’s converted free with the last kick of the half gave Newbridge the slightest lead against Madden side that took a while to find their rhythm.

It was impressive play from the Derry champions as their opening seven points were from play and from as many different players whereas Madden’s use of the two-pointers kept them in the game.

The winter sun had many in the stand watching shadows but it was Donal Rafferty who squeezed over the opening score after controlled play from Madden. Conor McAteer and Mark Grogan hit back to put Newbridge in the lead and while Darragh McMullan struck over a beauty, it was the Derry champions that seized control.

Patrick McMullan couldn’t believe his luck when the opportunity opened up for him and he had only the goalkeeper to beat, but the Newbridge lad fisted over the bar, with the goal-chance left begging.

Madden’s usual assured passing disserted them and Newbridge were quick on the counter with brothers Eamon Young and Sean Young tapping over. The Derry champions were moving rightly but Conor Grimley’s two-pointer made it a one-point game and again Newbridge’s response was instant with Shane McGrogan and Padraig McGrogan landing big points.

Still, Madden found a way back with Conor Grimley stroking over his second two-pointer and Niall Smith levelled the score with 30 minutes played. It looked as if Madden had done enough but Doherty’s free gave Newbridge a 0-08 to 0-07 half-time lead and the Derry champions came flying out traps at the start of the second half with three points in as many minutes.

With 45 minutes played Newbridge led 0-13 to 0-09, Conor McAteer nabbed two points within a minute following Padraig McGrogan’s converted a 45 and while Conor Grimley and Paudi Comiskey replied for Madden, it was McAteer’s fourth point from play that put the Derry champions in a commanding position.

Newbridge pushed on with Oisin Doherty extending his tally and the Young brothers grabbing their second point each, of the afternoon. Madden kicked three wides in a row as the game seemed slipped away from them.

Niall Grimley made majestic fetches in the middle and he found the target and Conor Grimley kicked over his third two-pointer but Madden’s historic journey came to an end as it was Newbridge’s night and they won’t mind going in as underdogs against the Monaghan champions in two weeks time.

Scorers for Newbridge: Oisin Doherty 0-5 (4f) Conor McAteer 0-4, Eamon Young 0-2, Sean Young 0-2, Mark McGrogan 0-1, Patrick McMullan 0-1, Shane McGrogan 0-1, Padraig McGrogan 0-2 (1 45),

Scorers for Madden: Conor Grimley 0-8 (2f, 3 2P), Donal Rafferty 0-1, Niall Smith 0-1, Paidi Comiskey 0-1, Niall Grimley 0-1,

MADDEN: Jamie Sheridan, Shea Vallely, Tony O’Hagan, Peter Lappin, Oisin O’Hara, Donal Rafferty, Niall Smith, Dylan Crilly, Cathal Donnelly, Aron McKenna, Ciaran Rafferty, Darragh McMullen, Joe Sheridan, Niall Grimley, Conor Grimley.

Subs: Eoin Grimley for Crilly (ht’), Paidi Comiskey for McKenna (35’), Jack Murphy for Donnelly (44’), Liam Grimley for Lappin (55’).

NEWBRIDGE: Nathan Rocks, Shea McAteer, Shane McGrogan, Mark McGrogan, Callum McGrogan, Conor McGrogan, Padraig McGrogan, Conor Doherty, Conleth McGrogan, Eamon Young, Mark Doherty, Conor McAteer, Patrick McMullan, Sean Young, Oisin Doherty.

Subs: Cathair McBride for M Doherty (56’) Dessie McGolgan for E Young (59’), Killian Burke for McAteer (59’)

Referee: Sean Hurson (Tyrone).