Ballycran progress to Ulster decider

Ballycran progress to Ulster decider

31 October 2018

BALLYCRAN caused a major upset when they toppled reigning Ulster champions Slaughtneil at Corrigan Park on Sunday.

Make no mistake about it, Gary Savage’s warriors were worthy winners and defeated the Derry men by 10 points to book their place inn the Ulster final against Cushendall.

Things looked ominous for Slaughtneil early on as Colm McManus pointed Ballycran into the lead after ‘keeper Gareth O’Kane did well to keep out a rasping shot for James Coyle.

Scott Nicholson added a second point from the halfway line as Ballycran started to dictate matters. However, Gerald Bradley opened Slaughtneil’s account with a point before Coyle pounced to score the first of his two goals and give the underdogs a 1-2 to 0-1 lead.

Cormac O’Doherty, Se McGuigan and Chrissy McKaigue responded with points for Slaughtneil, but Ballycran were having none of it and Niall Breen was on hand to steer the sliothar into the net after good work from McManus.

Mark McGuigan and Brendan Rogers negated two Scott Nicholson frees before Meehaul McGrath grabbed a goal for the Derry champions to leave his side trailing 2-5 to 1-6. O’Doherty’s free closed the gap to a point, but McManus scored with the last puck of the half to send Ballycran into the break with a 2-6 to 1-7 lead.

Conor Woods extended Ballycran’s lead at the start of the second half with their first point from play. Nicholson and Andy Bell added to the tally with points apiece to stretch the lead to five points.

Slaughtneil struggled to live with Ballycran’s intensity and all they had to show for their efforts were points from Brian Cassidy and O’Doherty.

However, these scores were quickly cancelled out by Nicholson (0-3), Liam Savage and McManus. There was no way back for a gallant 

Slaughtneil, and their goose was cooked when Cormac McKenna was red-carded.

A sixth point from McManus was followed by goals from Chris Egan and the lethal Coyle as Ballycran eased through to their first Ulster final in six years.  

Ballycran: S Keith, M Hughes, P Hughes, S Ennis, M Taylor, P Flynn, B Nicholson, S Nicholson (0-7, 0-4 f), P Savage, C McAllister, C Woods (0-1), L Savage (0-1), N Breen (1-0), C McManus (0-6 f), J Coyle (2-0). Subs: C Egan (1-0), for Breen, G Hughes for McAllister.

Slaughtneil: G O’Kane, R McCartney, S Cassidy, P McNeill, C McKenna, C McKaigue (0-1), K McKaigue, Sh McGuigan, M McGuigan (0-1), B Rogers (0-2), G Bradley (0-1), M McGrath, Se McGuigan (0-1), B Cassidy (0-1), C O’Doherty (0-7 f). Subs: C McAllister for McGrath, S Cassidy for M McGuigan.

Ballycran 4-15

Slaughtneil 1-14

ULSTER CLUB SHC SEMI-FINAL