Strabane Sigersons...........2-20

Castlederg St Eugene's.......1-14

THE senior footballers of Strabane Sigersons made the short journey to play North Tyrone neighbours Castlederg in Division 3 at Marius McHugh Memorial Park and came away with another emphatic win with a solid all round team display.

The result sends Strabane two points clear of nearest rivals Glenelly at the top of the league with only four games remaining to be played including a clash with Glenelly at Páirc Mhic Sioghair in a few week's time.

Played on a greasy yet excellent surface, Strabane raced into a commanding 0-5 to 0-1 lead against a Castlederg side that was obviously missing a few regulars. Strabane also had several regulars missing but their greater fitness and hunger wasn't matched by a home side that are clearly struggling at present after recording a great season in 2007.

Points from Warner Mullen (2), John-Paul Gallagher, Gerard Murray and Gerard McCrossan set Sigersons on their way with Castlederg managing only one first half point from a converted free kick via former minor All Ireland medal winner Aiden Lynch. Warner Mullen hit three further points a couple of them from free kicks with John-Paul Gallagher also hitting a brace and Chris Devine and John McLaughlin also on target in what was a commanding first half display that probably should have yielded a goal or two also for Strabane.

The second half was only minutes old when Strabane eventually found the net, Gerard Murray and Martin McNulty were both involved as defender Ryan O'Kane saw his effort slip through the hands of the Castlederg keeper and into the net.

The home side hit back with a point from play via Peter McGarvey but points from play via Martin McNulty and Warner Mullen quickly cancelled that score out.

Castlederg were eventually rewarded for their persistence when a fine through ball from Aiden Lynch found the unmarked Chris McHugh and he planted the ball in the Strabane net past the helpless James O'Reilly.

Strabane responded in fine fashion with Warner Mullen again hitting a brace of scores, one from play and one from a free kick with Ryan O'Kane also adding a point.

The home side managed a further two points coming via Sean Harper and Chris Maguire but Strabane kept on the pressure with Gerard Murray hitting two points and Chris Devine also adding a fine score and the final piece of action saw Kyle Devine deliver an excellent ball to full forward John McLaughlin and he sealed the game with a well taken goal as Strabane ran out convincing winners.

This was an expected win for Strabane but nonetheless had to be worked hard for as local derby games like this are usually tricky and can throw up an odd shock or two despite current form. Strabane will be pleased to have won the game initially and that all players came through injury free as the season begins to reach a climax.

The attention switches away from the league this weekend owing to the teams clash with Augher in the opening round of the WJ Dolan Tyrone Junior Football Championship at Loughmacrory, this will be a stiff test for the team against one of the best sides in the division.

The Strabane team and scorers were: James O'Reilly, Stephen Stewart, Anthony McMenamin, Kieran O'Kane, Aaron McLaughlin, Sean Barkley, Ryan O'Kane (1-1), Gerard McCrossan (0-1) and Kyle Devine, Gerard Murray (0-3), Warner Mullen (0-8), John-Paul Gallagher (0-3), Chris Devine (0-2), Martin McNulty (0-1), John McLaughlin (1-1).

Substitutes: Sean Ferry for Martin McNulty, Aodhán Stewart for Warner Mullen, David Taylor for Chris Devine, Richie Graham for Stephen Stewart, Conor McGrath (Not Used).

The referee was: Sean McCartan (Loughmacrory).

The game was very kindly sponsored by: Essentials (Seamus McGoldrick) of Strabane and Castlederg