Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Loughgiel 2-13 Cushendall 2-10

By John Curly McIlwaine

Loughgiel made the perfect start to their Senior Hurling Championship campaign at Fr Healy Park on Sunday when they beat Cushendall in the first of their round robin games. There is never much to between these two great rivals and so it proved once again in an obsorbing contest that had the crowd on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

It may not have been the highest quality of hurling, but it was always exciting and nobody could argue that they didn’t get their money’s worth. Four minutes into injury time Cushendall, who had cut a nine point deficit back to just three, were awarded a penalty and though they had trailed for the whole of the game they were presented with a golden chance to earn a share of the spoils. Goalkeeper Conor McAlister, who minutes earlier had crashed a 20 metre free to the net, made the journey up the field again to face his opposite number Chrissy O’Connell in the Shamrocks nets. The crowd on both sides held their breath as the Ruairi Og custodian stepped up to take the penalty but thought he struck the ball really well the sliothar rebounded off the base of the upright and the opportunity of a late equaliser was gone.

With both teams short a big hitter each (Neill McManus was out with an ankle injury for the ‘Dall and Liam Watson was missing for the Shamrocks due to a hamstring injury picked up in training during the week) the home team made a great start and Shan McGrath had them ahead inside 30 seconds. They were up and running and they built on that good start as Eddie McCloskey, Shan McGrath, James McNaughton and Declan McCloskey fired over points to stretch their lead to 0-5 to 0-0. The ‘Dall were struggling to find their touch but slowly they began to find a bit of possession and after missing a couple of straight forward frees Christy McNaughton got them up and running when he sent one over in the eighth minute. McNaughton added a second one from a free on ten minutes and when their forwards intercepted a short puc-out Alex Delargy race in to cut the gap back to just two.

Their approach work may have improved but the finishing touch was still missing and after Christy McNaughton and Eoghan Campbell both failed from frees Loughgiel’s James McNaughton showed them how it should be done and a fine strike on 16 minutes had his team 0-6 to 0-3 in front at the half-time water break.

On the restart Cushendall squandered another simple point chance and they were made to play as McGrath set up Shay Casey for a neat point and James McNaugton added another two minutes later with a neat finish. The visitors were in danger of being cast adrift but Christy McNaughton found his range with a pointed free from distance and when he added one from a 65 four minutes from the break there was just three between the sides. However McNaughton pulled up injured after his strike from the 65 and had to be replaced and in the final minute of the opening half James McNaughton added another point to the home team’s total to see them 0-9 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

With the freshening breeze at their backs in the second half it was felt that they would soon set about pulling back the deficit, but it was Loughgiel who were first to trouble the scoreboard operator when the split the posts yet again to put side ahead by double scores. (0-10 to 0-5). Paddy McGill started a Cushendall revival when he pointed from play on 33 minutes and after taking over the free taking duties he added two more to cut the gap back to three point by the 40^th minute.

Loughgiel were starting to come under pressure, but they reacted brilliantly and after James McNaughton grabbed another point a great move which started in the half back line was finished brilliantly to the net by Eddie McCloskey to put his side six clear at the second half water-break. Quite often these stoppages can cause momentum swings but it didn’t do Loughgiel any harm and just after play got going their centre forward Calum McKendry left the Ruairis defence in his wake as he raced through to score a great goal.

Cushendall needed a lift to keep their fading chances alive and it came on 49 minutes when goalkeeper Conor McAlister came up to blast a twenty metre free to the net. Loughgiel responded with points from Donal McKinley and a real beauty on the run from James McNaughton, but Cushendall were not done yet and when Conor Carson made a great catch and hand-passed to incoming Sean McAfee the ball was partially cleared to Alex Delargy who fired it through a packed goalmouth to the Loughgiel net. The gap was down to five and when substitute Shane McNaughton hit two sublime points there was just three between the sides.  

Four minutes into added time and the chance of salvaging the game arrived when referee Conal Cunning awarded Cushendall a penalty. McAlister came up again to save they day for the Dall but it was not to be as the visitors missed the target for the 16^th time and Loughgiel held on for a deserved win.

Loughgiel – Chrissy O’Connell, Tiernan Coyle, Neilly McGarry, Tony McCloskey, Declan Gillan, Damon McMullan, Declan McCloskey (0-1), Dan McCloskey (0-1), Donal McKinley, James McNaughton (0-8 – 6 frees), Callum McKenry (1-0), Eddie McCloskey (1-1), Shan McGrath (0-2), Benny McCarry (1-0), Shay Casey.

Subs – Odhran McFadden for Declan Gillan, Mark McFadden for Callum McKendry, Seamy Dobbin for Damon McMullan

Cushendall – Conor McAlister (1-0 f), Joe McCurry, Martin Burke, Arron Graffin, Fergus McCambridge, Paddy Burke, Ryan McCambrdge, Aidan McNaughton, Eoghan Campbell, Paddy McGill (0-3 – 2f), Dominic Delargy,  Niall McCormick, Alex Delargy 91-10, Sean McAfee, Christy McNaughton (0-4 – 3f)

Subs – Conor Carson for Christy McNaughton; Scott Walsh for Aidan McNaughton; Shane McNaughton (0-2) for Sean McAfee

Referee – Colm Cunning (Dunloy)

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Subs – Conor Carson, Scott Walsh, Shane McNaughton,  

Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship – Group One

Sunday August 9

Dunloy 0-17 Ballycastle 0-17

Town push Cuchullains all the way with honours even

Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy

Over six minutes of injury time.  Sweltering heat.  The all ticket crowd in Pearse Park was a small crowd but it felt like it was packed to the rafters.

It’s great to have championship hurling back.

A draw at the end of a pulsating game of championship hurling in which Ballycastle outmuscled Dunloy and tactically had the edge for long periods.  Yet the Cuchullains showed their championship pedigree and never say die spirit. 

It took a wonder score from Keelan Molloy in the fifth minute of injury time and his fifth point of the match to tie the sides yet the reining champions could have snatched an unlikely win in the end.  Early substitute Aaron Crawford, an out and out defender by trade and he did everything right, until the finish.  Ballycastle felt aggrieved from the restart when they felt they were in a position to snatch a win that looked to be on the cards for the majority of this tie but referee Colm McDonald called time on what was a ding dong second half and a mighty opener to this years Bathshack senior hurling championship.

Ballycastle were immense on the day.  They showed hunger, desire, ferocity and in Ciaran Clarke an ace marksman from placed ball.  He finished with 12 points, all from placed ball and missed just one free during the game but this was a reawakening in the Town.  They fought for every ball and in the first half especially, they were first to the majority of second ball.  Playing Neal McAuley as a sweeper to nullify any direct ball into the Dunloy forward line, McAuley excelled.  Excellent at reading the game and he led by example as they took a stranglehold in the first half.  Conor Boyd and Matty Donnelly also playing major roles for the black and amber.

The Cuchullains showed glimpses in the first half of what they are capable off but they looked lethargic in comparison to the Town.  They were hampered with the loss of Conor McKinley just five minutes into the game.  The Dunloy full back had just claimed an imperious catch at the heart of his defence but seemed to get injured as he cleared.  Any potential absence there could be a major blow for the Cuchullains.  Conal Cunning’s frees kept them in touch while Keelan Molloy always looked lively. 

The first half belonged to the Town and they were worthy of their four point lead of 0-10 to 0-6 at the interval.  Dunloy came out in the second half a team rejuvenated however.  By the second half water break, the Cuchullains had reeled in the four point lead and with Seaan Elliott’s 45^th minute point they retook the lead for the first time since Keelan Molloy’s opening point just 14 seconds into the game.

Ballycastle were undeterred.  Their discipline the tackle and work rate was exemplary and would have been good enough to win many a game.  Seamus McAuley was drafted in at half time and gave another presence in the middle third.  The Cuchuallians were made to work for every score they managed to ween out of a quite brilliant Ballycastle defence.  They tried everything with the home side’s management team working tirelessly on the side line looking for the key to unlock the Town’s defence.

The scores continued to come at both ends.  Tit for tat, blow for blow with these two north Antrim giants slogging it out under the sweltering summer sun. 

Clarkey recorded Ballycastle’s 17^th point and his 12^th of the game in the third minute of injury time to edge Ballycastle ahead for the third time in the game and they looked to have saw off the Cuchullains resurgence. 

Not so.

The clock ticked further and Dunloy pressed.  The sliotar wide on the right and Keelan Molloy under pressure.  He could have been forgiven for sending this one wide of the posts.  There was no need for apologies.  One umpire nodded to the other and the white flag was raised once again to tie the scores for the seventh time in the match and a score fitting for the occasion.

The drama wasn’t over there.  Neither side were settling for a share of the championship points, but it was the Cuchullains who carved open the clearest opportunity.  The Cuchullains worked the sliotar to Aaron Crawford who left his sweeping berth and soloed clear.  The composure was there but the accuracy wasn’t. 

All square in a gripping contest.  Championship hurling is back. 

TEAMS

Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Conor McKinley, Conor Ferris; Kevin McKeague, Eamon Smyth, Ryan McGarry; Paul Shiels, Kevin Molloy; Ronan Molloy, Keelan Molloy, Nicky McKeague; Chrissy Brogan, Conal Cunning, Eoin O’Neill

Scorers: C Cunning 0-7 (6f); Keelan Molloy 0-5; Kevin Molloy 0-2; E O’Neill 0-1; E Emyth 0-1; Seaan Elliott 0-1

Ballycastle: Brendan Connor; Oran Kearney, Matthew Donnelly, Sean Kelly; James McLister, Conor Boyd, Eamon Elliott; Ronan McCarry, Ryan McCook; Cathal Connor, James McShane, Ciaran Butler; Diarmuid McShane, Neal McAuley, Ciaran Clarke

Scorers: C Clarke 0-12 (11f, 1’65); D McShane 0-2; C Boyd 0-1; C Butler 0-1; Seamus McAuley 0-1

Referee: Colm McDonald (St Galls)

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Bathshack Senior Hurling Championship

Preview

By Brendan McTaggart

It’s back.

You can almost smell the excitement in the air.  Championship hurling is that excitement you can feel if not smell and it’s with us.  It’s like Christmas but in summer.  Marvellous stuff.

That’s how much I’ve missed the hurling.

Call me a hurling snob all you want but nothing beats championship hurling.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, lets look at the format.  Eight teams, two groups of four.  Round robin, quarter-finals, semi’s and a final.  It might have taken a few trial runs and a pandemic but as the saying goes: “By George I think we’ve done it.”  Three guaranteed games, incentives to top the group and no dead rubbers.  Job is indeed, a good one.

I don’t know if this was always going to be the case this year, if it was then well done to those involved in striking the right note with this format.  If not, please, whoever is making these decisions, keep this format.  It works.

The only drawback is the times.  A 2pm throw in and an all ticket affair for all games due to COVID restrictions makes it a nightmare for local journalists and a costly affair for families looking to attend.  I understand the reasons for it though.  The county board and clubs are making the most of the situation they are faced with.  I do not envy the jobs of those who are committing their time to ensure we get to see some championship action.  I doff my hat to all those involved.

So onto Sunday.

The main event is in Fr Healy Park.  Live streamed to those who can’t make the event and for those who can, it’s an early championship treat.  Dunloy may have won two of the last three championships but the Volunteer Cup has taken up residency at the Ruairi’s or Shamrock’s clubrooms for the better part of 15 years.  Yet here they are, facing off on match day one of the championship.

Cushendall have changed management with Eamon Gillan stepping into the breach once again.  Himself a Loughgiel man who served the Shamrock’s for years through administrative rolls but just like two years ago, he is preparing his side to face his native club. 

Loughgiel fell at the semi’s of last year’s championship and hold onto the same management team, spearheaded by Hugh McCann.  For the first time in 20 years though they are coming into a championship season without the services of Liam Watson.  A legend in the Shamrock shirt and of the game in Antrim, his loss will undoubtedly be felt.  But all things come to an end at some stage and Loughgiel will look forward.  They had a brilliant minor team last year the Loughgiel management will undoubtedly look there for fresh blood as they continue their rebuild.

Naomh Éanna make their senior championship debut when they host St Gall’s.  The Hightown Road men made a winning start to the league when they defeated St John’s.  A massive boost for the 2019 Intermediate champions and a sign they may continue to push on from last years remarkable campaign and the foundations laid from Sambo.

St Galls are under new management with Chris Dornan stepping into the breach on the Milltown Row.  Dornan lead Cushendun to the Antrim junior championship two years ago and has been involved in youth coaching in his own native Cushendall.  His teams play with a distinctive style and it will be interesting to see how he makes an impression on a St Galls team with a wealth of experience.

Reigning champions Dunloy start the defence of their crown with a home tie against Ballycastle.  They last met three years ago in the championship when the Cuchullains dismantled them in the semi-final on their way to bringing ‘Big Ear’s’ back to the village.  They start this season as favourites to make it back to back titles, a fete they haven’t achieved since the 2002-03 seasons when they claimed their fourth title in a row.  Incentive alone for the Cuchullains if they needed it.

Ballycastle’s championship campaigns have not been much to write home about for the past two seasons.  Involved in the preliminary rounds against St Johns and Rossa, their campaigns were over before they ever really got started.  That being said, their performance against Rossa in the ‘second leg’ at Páirc Mac Uílín is one they should take strength from.  Hugely disappointing in the first leg, they rallied in the second half but came up short.  Just.  But like Loughgiel, they had a brilliant minor team last year and will add to a talented squad. 

Belfast’s Old Firm completes the match day one fixtures and it’s a humdinger.  The Johnnies make the short journey up the Falls Road to Rossa Park and this one is one to catch the eye.  Always feisty, always intense, always worth the entrance fee.  The form book really goes out the window when these pair face each other and I’d expect Sunday to be no different. 

Colly Murphy is in his second year at the helm of the Jeremiah’s while Michael Johnston has brought Aidan Kelly into his backroom team.  It’s not fair to say ‘expect fireworks’ as these two sides are more than capable of putting on an exhibition of hurling as well as ‘mixing’ it up.

It’s a festival of hurling and just a shame we can only take in one game at a time.  If I put my neck on the line and make a trip to the bookies, I’d put my two bob bet on Cushendall, Naomh Éanna, Dunloy and St John’s. 

Let the hurling and banter commence.

Group 1

Rossa vs St John’s @ Rossa Park

Dunloy vs Ballycastle @ Pearse Park

Group 2

Loughgiel vs Cushendall @Fr Healy Park

Naomh Éanna vs St Galls @ Hightown Road

Today we continute the coverage of Dunloy’s progress towards their first county hurling title in 1990. To mark the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough win we have been covering their opening round win over Cushendall, and quarter final victory over St John’s which set up a semi-final meeting again Ballycastle, once again in Loughgiel. In what turned out to be a controversial clash, who players of each side getting sent off, Dunloy made it through to their first final since 1976

Antrim Senior Hurling Championship semi-final 1990

Dunloy Reach First Final Since 1976

Dunloy 1-11 Ballycastle 1-08

Dunloy qualified for their first county final since 1976 when they beat Ballycastle by three points in a controversial semi final at Father Healy Park, Loughgiel.

Much of the controversy centred around two of the three penalties which the referee awarded during the game; each of which were followed by a sending off. Players and officials from both teams protested vigorously after the game that mistakes had been made in both cases.

In the first incident Ballycastle were adamant that they were wronged as the referee gave a penalty when he adjudged that keeper Paul Smith had lifted the ball off the ground in the small square in the 23^rd minute.

After Dunloy’s Seamus McMullan fired home the goal from the resultant penalty, Ballycastle’s full back Terence Donnelly was sent off in an off the ball incident.

In the second incident seven minutes from time both teams protested that they had been mistreated, Ballycastle players claimed the ball had definitely crossed the line moments before the penalty was awarded when Dessie Donnelly was upended in the square.

Dunloy officials were angry when the referee consulted with an umpire, sent off their inter-county defender Gary O’Kane to the line. Dunloy felt that O’Kane had been wronged and the wrong man had been sent off.

These incidents, the penalties plus and endless procession of stoppages when the ball was lost after scores or wides at the end road of the ground all contributed to a disappointing and disjointed. Game.

Dunloy’s supporters will not be disappointed that the game was not of the highest quality and why they would they as they saw their team take another step to the ‘promised land’ of a county hurling title.

Whether they can reach that land is another matter we will discuss another day but there is no denying that they had talent in abundance, which if handled correctly, will surely bring them glory in the near future.

Paul McKillen had the game’s first score in the second minute when he pointed Ballycastle ahead with a ’65 but Dunloy replied with three on the trot from Seamus McMullan and the Elliot brothers Alistair and Jarlath, before Dessie Donnelly slotted over a free to leave just one between the teams.

Tony McGrath and Jarlath Elliott pointed to put Dunloy three ahead but one minute later Ballycastle were level after the first of three penalties. Dessie Donnelly was grounded in the square and though his penalty was not well struck it beat the Dunloy defensive line to level the scores.

The second penalty five minutes later was the one which had the most bearing on the outcome of the game.

Mushy McMullan’s goal put Dunloy three ahead again and when Terence Donnelly got his marching orders, Ballycastle really faced an uphill struggle. They had to move full forward Dessie Donnelly into full back and with the switch the scoring threat was gone.

Paul McKillen did pull back a point before half time to leave his side two adrift at the short whistle 1-05 to 1-03.

Seamus McMullan increased Dunloy’s lead to three when he pointed a free five minutes after the restart but Ballycastle pulled back to a point when Brian Donnelly knocked over a free and Ronan Donnelly hit one from play.

Dunloy then eased away again with three points on the trot from Jarlath Elliott (2) and Seamus McMullan and though Cathal Donnelly and Paul McKillen pulled back two points Tony and Jarlath McGrath replied to leave four in it with ten minutes remaining.

In an effort to bolster a totally inept forward line Ballycastle took Dessie Donnelly back up front and within a minute he pointed a free to leave a goal between them. When the penalty was awarded a minute later Donnelly completely miss hit the shot and it was easily saved.

In the final five minutes, with both sides down to fourteen players, Ballycastle pressed forward looking for the equaliser but goalkeeper Shane Elliott was equal to it all. Sean McIlhatton and Seamus McMullan defended resolutely and Dunloy held on to earn a place in the final against Rossa in the final on the 23^rd of September.

Apart from those three defenders mentioned Gary O’Kane and Sean Mullan played well. Tony McGrath was the best of midfield while Gregory O’Kane, Alister and Jarlath Elliott were best up front.

Paul Smith played well in the Ballycastle goals while in defence Martin McIlroy, Frank Devlin and Kevin McShane were best.

Stephen Boyle at midfield work tirelessly and was Ballycastle’s best player while in the forwards line only Dessie Donnelly posed any real threat.

Dunloy team

S Elliott, S McIlhatton, D McMullan, B Og Cunning, S McMullan (1-03), G O’Kane, S Mullan, T McGrath (0-02), N Elliott, M Maguire, S Boyle, A Elliott (0-01), J McGrath (0-01), J Elliott (0-04), G O’Kane subs – A Mc Gilligan for M Maguire

Ballycastle team

P Smith, F Devlin, T Donnelly, K McShane, E Donnelly, L Gallagher, M McIlroy, P McKillen (0-03), S Boyle, R Donnelly (0-01), B Donnelly (0-01), D McAfee, M McShane, D Donnelly (1-02), O Laverty subs – C Connelly (0-01) for McAfee

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AIB Ulster Club Senior Hurling Final

Dunloy 0-10 Sleacht Néill 1-15

Sunday November 10

Brendan McTaggart reports from Páirc Esler, Newry

“That’s the best performance from these lads in the five years I’ve been here.”  The words from Sleacht Néill manager Mickey McShane after he watched his side power past the Cuchullains to regain the Four Seasons Cup.

Eight points separated the sides at the end of the hour, in truth it could have been more.  The Derry champions had Dunloy under pressure all over the pitch from the first whistle and didn’t allow the Cuchullains attack to hit the heights they have done so this season.  Too often Dunloy were caught in possession and couldn’t get any momentum going.  Much of that was down to the brilliance of Sleacht Néill.  On a day when you need leaders to stand up and be counted, the Derry men had a team of them.  Chrissy McKaigue in midfield, popping up everywhere.  Gerald Bradley as a sweeper, playing the role to perfection.  Brian Cassidy, a nervy start before tormenting the Dunloy defence along with Brendan Rogers.

The Cuchullains trailed by just two points at half time but for most of the first half they played second fiddle.  The pivotal moment came in the 40^th minute when Nigel Elliott was sent off for a second yellow card.  It was an innocuous challenge but by the letter of the law it did warrant a second booking.  Elliott was the one Dunloy forward who looked like getting any change from a brilliant Sleacht Néill defence and with his sending off went Dunloy’s hopes of an 11^th Ulster title.

In defence Conor McKinley was superb, a powerhouse on the edge of the Cuchullains square while Ryan Elliott behind him pulled off a save in the first half that was quite simply brilliant but it was a below par performance from the Cuchullains who could have no complaints over the score at the end of the hour.

The Cuchullains made a bright start to the final with Eoin O’Neill sending over the opening point of the hour in the second minute.  Sleacht Néill’s response was indictive of their performance throughout the first half.  Powerful but errant.  A trio of wides preceded Rogers goal chance when Brian Cassidy passed to him on the run.  Firing low to Elliott’s right, the Dunloy ‘keeper managed to turn the sliotar away for a ’65.  Cormac O’Doherty pointed a free from his own ’45 in the ninth minute to get the Robbies firing.

Dunloy weren’t getting any change from the Sleacht Néill half back line but retook the lead in the 11^th minute and could have been celebrating the games first goal moments later.  Nigel Elliott evading the tackles of a trio of Sleacht Néill defenders but his effort was blocked by a defending limb.

The sides went score for score with Brian Cassidy and Rogers firing over either side of Conal Cunning’s 16^th minute point but the Cuchullains came close to the opening goal the Sleacht Néill ‘keeper diving at full stretch to deny Ronan Molloy when all in attendance waited on the sliotar bulging the net.  A top drawer safe but it was a massive chance for the Cuchullains and Sleacht Néill took full advantage of their reprieve.  They scored four points in five minutes to take control with Rogers, Jerome McGuigan, O’Doherty (free) and a superb catch and point from distance by Gerald Bradley firing over the scores to give Sleacht Néill a four point lead.

The Cuchullains were stung into action with Cunning (free) and Chrissy McKaigue swapping points before another Cunning free and Ronan Molloy point reduced the Sleacht Néill lead to two points.

Half time: Dunloy 0-6 Sleacht Néill 0-8

Despite their dominance, a two point lead for the Derry men was far from insurmountable.  Dunloy did very little hurling in the first half and would have been relieved to be trailing by just two points at the interval.  Sé McGuigan opened the scoring in the second half after barely 30 seconds and while the Cuchullains looked more energised after the restart, their accuracy in front of the target let them down when they needed it.  A free from O’Doherty, deep inside his own half compounded the Cuchuallins frustrations although ‘Coby’ scored his fourth point and fifth of the match overall to open Dunloy’s account after the interval in the 38^th minute.

Trailing by three points, Dunloy were dealt a major blow when Nigel Elliott was given a second yellow card in the space of six second half minutes.  A soft decision but one that rarely goes unpunished.  It would take something special for the Cuchullains to get back into the final and when Coby reduced the Sleacht Néill lead to just two midway through the second half, everything was still possible.

The Derry champions responded to the challenge laid down by the Cuchullains by all but ending the contest with ten minutes remaining.  Meehaul McGrath firing over from distance before Sleacht Néill were awarded a penalty after a foul on O’Doherty.  The Robbies ace marksman stepped up to take the resulting penalty and despite guessing the right way, the sliotar was fired low, skid and bounced to deceive Ryan Elliott.  A six point lead for Sleacht Néill and they rarely looked like letting it slip.

The Cuchullains hit back with Coby (free) and substitute Seaan Elliott splitting the posts but Sleacht Néill finished strongly.  Jerome and Mark McGuigan firing over before Rogers scored his third of the match in the last minute of normal time.

The Cuchullains looked for the goals they would need to revive their hopes.  Another chance came and gone when Keelan Molloy fired the sliotar to the edge of the square and despite the support in attendance, the sliotar evaded everyone.

Sleacht Néill scored the last point of the final when O’Doherty took his tally to 1-4 for the match after Brian Cassidy saw red for a second yellow card deep in injury time but the destination of the Four Seasons Cup was already sealed by that stage.

On an afternoon where the Cuchullains dreamed for more, Sleacht Néill showed once again they are the team to beat.  The Cuchullains didn’t click or fire like they needed to but the Emmets had their number as they made it three Ulster titles in four years. 

TEAMS

Dunloy: Ryan Elliott; Phelim Duffin, Conor McKinley, Conor Kinsella; Eamon Smyth, Ryan McGarry, Kevin McKeague; Paul Shiels, Kevin Molloy; Nigel Elliott, Nicky McKeague, Ronan Molloy; Eoin O’Neill, Conal Cunning, Keelan Molloy

Subs: Gabriel McTaggart for E O’Neill (45); Seaan Elliott for N McKeague (51); Chrissy Brogan for R Molloy (57)

Scorers: Conal Cunning 0-7 (6 f’s); Ronan Molloy 0-1; Eoin O’Neill 0-1; Seaan Elliott 0-1

Sleacht Néill: Oisin O’Doherty, Karl McKaigue, Sean Cassidy, Cormac McKenna; Shane McGuigan, Séan O Caiside, Meehaul McGrath; Gerald Bradley, Chrissy McKaigue; Mark McGuigan, Cormac O’Doherty, Brendan Rogers; Sé McGuigan, Jerome McGuigan, Brian Cassidy

Subs: Conor McAllister for C McKenna (46); Conor McKenna for J McGuigan (58); Gareth O’Kane for S McGuigan (inj)

Scorers: Cormac O’Doherty 1-4; Brendan Rogers 0-3; Jerome McGuigan 0-2; Brian Cassidy 0-1; Meehaul McGrath 0-1; Gerald Bradley 0-1; Chrissy McKaigue 0-1; Mark McGuigan 0-1; Sé McGuigan 0-1

Referee: Aiden Ferguson (Fermanagh)

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