CHRISTY McLaughlin kicked nine points as Malin overcame Burt in an Inishowen derby at Hibernian Park.
Burt 0-6 Malin 1-13
By Charlie Collins at Hibernian Park
Paul McLaughlin’s early goal sent Malin on their way to what proved a comfortable win.
Robert Farren’s men hit the front when Paul McLaughlin netted in the fifth minute and they never looked back, inspired by Christy McLaughlin’s nine-point haul.
Micky McHugh and Steven O’Donnell opened the evening brightly for Burt, but Malin had command when Paul McLaughlin hammered home in style.
Josh Conlan superbly collected for a ‘mark’ and it was Oisin McGonagle who provided the assist for McLaughlin to blast past Aaron Coyle in the Burt goal.
Sean McHugh’s excellent point drew the sides level, but three points from Christy McLaughlin, the third of them a majestic score from way out on the left, had Malin 1-3 to 0-3 ahead at the interval.
Burt, via Jack O’Brien and Sean McHugh, stayed in touch in the early stages of the second half.
That, though, changed when Malin hit seen points in a deadly ten-minute spell.
Christy McLaughlin’s brilliant long-range score, off the outside of his left foot, started the purple patch. Ciaran Doherty, Conlan and Conor McGeoghan were also on the mark as Malin opened up a ten-point lead.
The Connolly Park men just proved too strong on the night.
Burt: Aaron Coyle; Darren Bradley, Steven O’Donnell (0-1), Gareth Quinn; Dara Grant, Oisin Kelly, Callum Porter; Ciaran Bradley, Sean McHugh (0-3); Michael Doherty, Sean O’Donnell, Micky McHugh (0-1); Conor Carlin, Jack O’Brien (0-1), Peter Campbell. Subs: Kevin Curran for Campbell (h/t), Daithi Grant for Carlin (57).
Malin: Darragh McLaughlin; Keelan White, Conor Farren, Gary Farren; Sean Byrne, Damian Harkin, Christopher Doherty; Kieran McColgan, Christy McLaughlin (0-9, 5f); Sean O’Neill, Ciaran Doherty (0-1), Oisin McGonagle; Josh Conlon(0-1), Paul McLaughlin (1-0), Conor McColgan. Subs: Conor McGeoghan ( 0-2) for McColgan ( 45mins), Daniel Houghton and Adam McGonigle for P.McLaughlin and C.McLaughlin (54).
Referee: Seamus McGonagle (Aodh Ruadh)
