Gaelic Games

Slaughtneil retain Ulster club hurling title

Cormac O’Doherty scores 1-10 as Derry champions move on to All-Ireland stage

Slaughtneil’s Brian Cassidy in action against Ballygalget’s Eoin Clarke and goalkeeper Jamie Crowe during the AIB Ulster Senior Hurling Club Championship Final at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photograph: Declan Roughan/Inpho
Slaughtneil’s Brian Cassidy in action against Ballygalget’s Eoin Clarke and goalkeeper Jamie Crowe during the AIB Ulster Senior Hurling Club Championship Final at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photograph: Declan Roughan/Inpho
Seán Haughey at the Athletic Grounds
Sun Oct 22 2017 - 18:16

Slaughtneil (Derry) 2-21 Ballygalget (Down) 1-12

Slaughtneil retained their Ulster hurling title victory over Down champions Ballygalget in a rugged affair in Armagh.

A long-range Mark Fisher effort had Ballygalget 0-3 to 0-2 ahead after 10 minutes but they had goalkeeper Jamie Crowe to thank for two saves to keep Slaughtneil at bay.

The pressure eventually told and Brendan Rodgers fed Brian Cassidy for a 13th-minute goal that helped Slaughtneil into a 1-7 to 0-6 lead at the break.

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The second half was a free contest between Cormac O'Doherty and Gareth Johnston before a Cormac O'Doherty penalty sealed the game for Slaughtneil.

SLAUGHTNEIL: O O'Doherty; K McKaigue (0-3), Shane McGuigan, P McNeill; M McGrath, C McKenna, C McAllister (0-1); G Bradley (0-1), C McKaigue; M McGuigan, C O'Doherty (1-10, seven frees, two 65s), S Cassidy; Se McGuigan, B Rodgers (0-3), B Cassidy (1-3).

Subs: G O'Kane for S Cassidy (42 mins), B Corbett for C McAllister (61 mins).

BALLYGALGET: J Crowe; B Byers, E Clarke, C Bailie (1-0); E Coulter, B Toner, Peter McManus; D McManus, J Doran; J McManus, G Roddy, M Fisher (0-2); C Coulter, G Johnston (0-8, seven frees), D Toner (0-2).

Subs: C Doran for J Doran (58 mins), J Smyth for D Byers (59 mins), Paul McManus for C Coulter (59 mins)

Referee: C Cunning (Antrim).