Holders Loughgiel Shamrocks will meet Ballycran in the AIB Ulster club SHC final after an emphatic victory over a weary Kevin Lynch's team at Casement Park yesterday.

Loughgiel Shamrocks 2-18 (Antrim)
Kevin Lynch's 1-5 (Derry)

Playing their third game in eight days (they only claimed the Derry SHC crown after a replay victory over Lavey last Wednesday night) Lynch's were never at the races against a stronger and fresher Shamrocks outfit. They signalled their intentions after just 45 seconds when Antrim star Liam Watson opened the scoring.

Loughgiel had surged into a 0-6 to 0-2 lead by the end of the first quarter before a scrambled Patrick McCloskey goal reduced the deficit to the minimum. But Declan Laverty and Bennie McCarry replied with points to leave Shamrocks 0-8 to 1-3 in front at the break.

Loughgiel resumed with a string of points to take a firm grip on proceedings. As their Dungiven opponents visibly tired, McCarry and Watson rattled home goals to make it easy for the Antrim champions in the end.

Scorers - Loughgiel: L Watson 1-7 (1-6f), B McCarry 1-3, Declan Laverty 0-3, J Scullion (1 s-l), D McCloskey 0-2 each, Damian Laverty 0-1. Kevin Lynch's: P McCloskey 1-1, K Hinphey, P Kelly (1f) 0-2 each.

Loughgiel - D Quinn; P Gillen, N McGarry, R McCloskey; James Campbell, M Scullion, Johnny Campbell; B McAuley, M McFadden; L Watson, Declan Laverty, E McCloskey; B McCarry, J Scullion, D McCloskey. Subs: Damian Laverty for E McCloskey (46), T McCloskey for Gillen (51).

Kevin Lynch's - B Lagan; E Farren, A McCloskey, K Mackle; K O'Kane, L Og Hinphey, C McCloskey; P Kelly, M Craig; K Hinphey, F McGuigan, K Farren; D Kelly, P McCloskey, N Ferris. Subs: P Sweeney for K Farren (45), P McKenna for Kelly (51), T Henry for McGuigan (58).

Ref - D Magee (Down). Tweet

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