Slaughtneil land 4th Ulster Title

Proinsias Burke collects the cup
(Pic Mark Doherty)

Slaughtneil's season eventually came to an end yesterday at a windswept Ballinascreen as they saw off Antrim champions Dunloy to retain their Ulster Minor Hurling title, a fourth in all.

With the breeze at their backs Slaughtneil landed seven second half points and kept Dunloy scoreless.  This is only half the story though.

In the first half the groundwork for victory was done.  It was gritty but equally effective as Slaughtneil got stuck in, hunted in packs and went in 0-5 to 0-4 ahead at half time.

This was highly significant and deep down Dunloy would have knew this.  In the second half with Mark Glass continuing to be the rock of the defence and Liam Cassidy the effective ball winner Slaughtneil built on their lead with points from Proinsias Burke and Brian Cassidy.

Defenders Mark Glass and Sean Cassidy chipped in with points as Slaughtneil continued to dominate and saw the game out winning 0-12 to 0-4 in the end.

The 1998 and 1999 group completed the double and now this team has followed suit with an Ulster double and has been mentioned as the best team the club has ever had.  Like the crop in the 90's they won football titles along the way as well.  

So after a very productive season landing Derry Minor Hurling, Derry Minor football the Ulster Hurling is a brilliant conclusion.  Next on the horizon is the transition into senior but for now the lights are off at Emmet Park and the Christmas season takes over.  

Photos by Mark Doherty - CLICK HERE...

Slaughtneil: Francis McEldowney, Ciaran McGuigan, Mark Glass (0-1), Keelan Feeney, Jerome McGuigan, Ruairi McCartney, Sean Cassidy (0-1), Proinsias Burke (0-5, three frees), Conor McAllister, Brian Cassidy (0-4), Conan Hunter (0-1), Sean O'Doherty, Liam Cassidy, Shane McGuigan, James McCloskey.

Subs: Michael McEldowney for James McCloskey, Dermot Donnelly for Ciaran McGuigan.

Dunloy: Ryan Elliott, Caolan McCurry, Conor Kinsella, Adam Mullan, Deaglan Smyth, Geoffrey Og Laverty, Cathair McGuigan, Keelan Molloy, Ciaran Elliott, Ewan Dixon, Michael McMullan, Eoin O'Neill (0-2), Anton McGrath, Conal Cunning (0-1), Seaan Elliott (0-1).

Subs: Caoimhin Crawford for Michael McMullan, Ronan Molloy for Anton McGrath, Eamon Smyth for Eoin O’Neill.

Referee: Owen Elliott (Ballymena)