Bellaghy's firm grip is too much to handle

In the end it proved as easy as the final scoreline suggests, Derry champions Bellaghy physically shunting their opponents aside in an authoritative second-half performance.

Conditions were appalling and got worse as the final progressed, the 3.0 p.m. throw-in guaranteeing that the match would finish in darkness.

Not that Errigal Ciaran could nurture any grievances, as their fate was determined long before the final whistle. The sodden underfoot conditions and driving rain mitigated against the lighter and smaller Tyrone champions but, even allowing for this disadvantage, they were comprehensively outplayed.

They relied on the largesse of Bellaghy who kicked 14 wides in total - seven in each half - against Errigal's three first-half wides. Bravery and an excellent first-half defence allowed the Tyrone club to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 at the interval, but that advantage was never going to suffice when Bellaghy were favoured by the strong wind that blew straight down the pitch.

Errigal Ciaran overplayed possession, crabbing laterally in defence, using three passes when one would have propelled the ball to greater effect. When they did manage to bypass a dominant Bellaghy midfield, Peter Canavan was the sole focus of their intentions.

He started at left corner forward, drifted out to the half forward line and was even moved to try and rescue his defence on occasions.

Indeed, the Tyrone side's decision to leave just three players in the Bellaghy half for large stretches of the match backfired as the cluttered corridors around their own half-back line and midfield prevented them from carrying the ball forward.

Credit to Bellaghy, they never panicked when their wayward first-half shooting suggested a long afternoon. Their full back line ensured that Errigal Ciaran would be denied more than the occasional opportunity. Corner back Peter Diamond was deservedly voted man of the match, his tenacious tackling and intelligent reading of the game breaking up multiple attacks, especially in the first 30 minutes.

David O'Neill moved to the corner and superbly marshalled Peter Canavan while Paddy Downey was equally resolute in the other corner. Wing backs Cathal Diamond and Kevin Doherty moved forward at every opportunity. Fergal Doherty and John Mullholland dominated midfield, similarly accomplished in attack and defence.

Although largely subdued in the first half, Gavin Diamond produced an excellent second-half display, kicking five points - his four frees were all long range - and in tandem with substitute Joe Cassidy ensured that Bellaghy's dominance would be reflected on the scoreboard.

Cathal Scullion grabbed his team's goal on 53 minutes, Cassidy and Gavin Diamond combining to allow him an unchallenged passage to Cathal McAnenly's goal.

His finish was assured and so was the outcome of the match, Bellaghy soon extending their lead to eight points.

Errigal Ciaran ploughed forward, their pride demanding that they finish with a flourish. Corner forward Mark Harte's excellent finish in injury-time salvaged a scrap of respectability.

Unfortunately, there was still time for substitute Rory McCann to be sent off, his reaction to Downey's foul born of frustration rather than malice. Errigal Ciaran will have few complaints, the entire defence allowing them a lifeline with a dogged firsthalf performance.

But, thereafter, with the exception of Eoin Gormley and Peter Canavan, they could not muster, never mind sustain, a concerted challenge.

They had to wait 16 minutes before they managed to smuggle possession past midfield in the second half and subsequently the forays could be counted on one hand.

Peter Canavan's point after four minutes was quickly negated by a Karl Diamond free before the Tyronemen enjoyed their only clearcut goal scoring opportunity of normal play.

Peter Canavan did extremely well to chip the ball, winning the three-player race, his delivery allowing Eamon McCaffrey to fingertip the ball around Bellaghy goalkeeper Ciaran Donnelly. Unfortunately, the ball skidded off the surface and, when McCaffrey rescued possession on the endline, the opportunity was lost.

A brace of points from Eoin Gormley and another from Peter Loughran to a Cathal Scullion point gave Errigal Ciaran their interval lead.

Francis Glackin kicked a point for Bellaghy six minutes after the interval and thereafter it was the Gavin Diamond and Cassidy show, kicking seven points between them: the only other scoring intervention, Scullion's goal.

The victory provided Bellaghy with their fourth Ulster Club football title.

Bellaghy: C Donnelly; P Downey, D O'Neill, P Diamond; C Diamond, C McNally, K Doherty; F Doherty, J Mullholland; G Doherty, K Diamond (0-1, 1 free), L McPeake; G Diamond (0- 5, 4 frees), C Scullion (1-1), F Glackin (0-1). Sub: J Cassidy (0-2) for McPeake.

Errigal Ciaran: C McAnenly; E McGinley, C McGinley, C McCann; P Horisk, Pascal Canavan, E Kavanagh; H Quinn, P Loughran (0-1); D O'Hanlon, E McCaffrey, E Gormley (0-2, 1 free); M Harte (1-0), C Quinn, Peter Canavan (0-1). Subs: R McCann for McCaffrey (54 mins); D Neill for McCann (57); A O'Donnell for Quinn (60).

Referee: P McEneaney (Monaghan).