Cushendall (Antrim) 1-24
Slaughtneil (Derry) 3-17
(After extra-time)
Cushendall finished strongly to pip Slaughtneil after extra-time in an absorbing Ulster club SHC final at the Athletic Grounds.
Trailing by 1-19 to 3-15 at the end of the first period of the extra-time, the Antrim champions dug deep to outscore their weary opponents by 0-5 to 0-2 in the second period and claim a 10th Ulster crown. In the end, it was a bridge too far for Slaughtneil's 13-strong contingent of dual stars, who were playing a 13th championship match in 11 weeks. They will need to pick themselves up quickly if they are to avoid similar disappointment against Scotstown in the Ulster club SFC quarter-final next Sunday.
Five points from Neil McManus helped the winners to a 0-8 to 0-3 lead after 27 minutes. However, two quick points from captain Chrissy McKaigue and a goal by county footballer Brendan Rodgers saw Slaughtneil turn a five-point deficit into a 1-7 to 0-8 interval lead.
Cushendall regained parity on the restart before Gareth O'Kane netted to put the Derry men back in front again. Christy McNaughton replied with a similar score in the 43rd minute before Brian Cassidy raised a third green flag for the Emmet's to put them ahead, 3-10 to 1-15.
Three points from McNaughton and McManus (two frees) looked to have given Ruairi Og the win, but there was still time for Cormac O'Doherty to send the final to extra-time.
Slaughtneil's recent hectic schedule of games in both codes eventually told in the additional 20 minutes as points from McManus, sub Conor Carson and Donal McNaughton secured victory for the north Antrim men.
Cushendall - E Gillan; D Kearney, M Burke, A McNaughton; E Campbell (0-1), R McCambridge, S Delargy; S McNaughton (0-2), P McGill; A Graffin, N McManus (0-13, 10f), D McNaughton (0-2); K McKeegan (0-2), S McAfee (0-1), C McNaughton (1-2). Subs: C Carson (0-1) for D Kearney, E Laverty for K McKeegan, C McAlister for S McNaughton, A Delargy for C McNaughton.
Slaughtneil - O O'Doherty (0-1f); M Kearney (0-1), S Cassidy, Shane McGuigan; K McKaigue, M McGrath, C McKenna; C McKaigue (0-2), P McNeill; M McGuigan, C O'Doherty (0-9f), G O'Kane (1-1); B Rodgers (1-2, 0-1f), Se McGuigan, B Cassidy (1-1). Subs: P Kearney for C McKenna, B Og Corbett for M Kearney, J Mulholland for M McGrath, M McGrath for G O'Kane.
Referee - J Clarke.
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