Maguiresbridge 1 Derrychara 5

Derrychara will play in Division One for the first time in their history next season, after victory over Maguiresbridge secured their promotion.

In the early stages of the contest it looked as though the promotion party may have to be put on hold as the home team took the lead through Ryan Nolan but the league leaders responded with goals from Paddy Beresford, Scott Walker, Craig Johnston and two from Chris Beacom to ease to victory.

“We are delighted,” admitted manager Andy Reilly, who only took up the manager’s position at the start of this season.

“The ambition was never to get up in our first year. We were looking to come in and consolidate, and maybe find our feet in Division Two and maybe have a go next year, but we started off like a house on fire and we haven’t looked back since.

“The boys really do believe in themselves, which makes it easy for me. You just put them out on the field and all they want to do is play football.”

Maguiresbridge threatened to delay the celebrations, and Reilly admitted the win was far from secure for much of the match.

“It wasn’t a 5-1 game and the Bridge more than played their part,” he said.

“It was 2-1 and Damien Elliott made a great tackle on the line to stop a tap in, and we go to the other end and score from a corner, and that was big moment in the game I thought. In the end they ran out of steam, but it was anyone’s game up until 70 minutes.”

Maguiresbridge are safely located in mid-table with little chance of falling into a late relegation fight, but they came out of the blocks quickly and edged ahead after just six minutes when Nolan fired past Josh Brownlee from close range.

They continued to hold out Derrychara, but the visitors finally made the breakthrough in the 39th minute when Chris Beacom netted his first of the day, firing high past the keeper. Moments later Derrychara took the lead for the first time when Paddy Beresford found the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Barry McCann had an effort saved early in the second half, but the match took another turn in favour of Derrychara when Maguiresbridge were reduced to ten men with the sending off of Ciaran Campbell. With fifteen minutes remaining Beacom added a third, and Walker and Johnston rounded off the victory with late strikes.

The three points ensured Derrychara’s promotion, and they are keen to follow that up with the Division Two title. Mountjoy United are the only team that can deny them top spot, and with the two sides still to face each other, it could yet come down to a final day shoot-out.