Ballinagh did themselves and Cavan club football proud when on Sunday, 25th of November at Healy Park, Omagh they convincingly defeated the Antrim champions, Dunloy in the Ulster IFC final on a scoreline of 2-11 to 2-3. And the Cavan champions were good value for their success after a cracking decider with Dunloy played before some 1,200 spectators which was competitive and interesting right to the final whistle. In the end, there was great jubilation amongst the Ballinagh supporters as their team-captain, Pauric Reilly lifted the Patrick McCully Cup in a season in which Bernard Morris's charges have really come good, and have been great ambassadors for Cavan club football on the provincial scene. The Dunloy side started the game in determined fashion and a second minute goal from Kevin McAllister gave them a timely boost. However, the Ballinagh side didn't panic and they slowly worked themselves back into the game, and were on level terms after 12 minutes play. They continued to force the pace and at the break were ahead by 2-5 to 1-1. With the match now slipping away from them, the Dunloy upped their game at the start of the second-half but they were finding the Cavan champions defence hard to break down. They seemed to get a lifeline in the 41st minute when Brendan McGarry goaled for the Dunloy side to leave six points between the sides and still plenty of time for a comeback. It was then we saw the best of the Ballinagh side. They regrouped all over the field and never allowed the Dunloy side to really put them under pressure. Indeed, in the closing quarter the Ballinagh side regained the initiative and taking some great points they ran out worthy winners by eight points. This was a game that the Cavan champions always looked comfortable in. Despite their slow start when they conceded an early goal they never looked flustered and worked their way back into the game. They won most of the personal battles all over the field and in the end always had the edge on a Dunloy side who to their credit battled to the final whistle. In a great team performance talented young star, Niall McDermott and former county senior player, Paul Galligan both scored 1-2, while their target-man Anthony Gaynor was always in the 'thick of the action' and was a constant thorn to the Dunloy side. Ballinagh can now look forward to the All-Ireland series in the coming weeks, and they are a side who are gaining in confidence all the time. Ballinagh - Darragh McCarthy; K. McBride, P. Carroll, A. Duffy; N. O'Reilly, Pauric O'Reilly capt., Damien McInerney; A. Maguire, Cian McDermott; C. Gumley 0-3, two frees, D. Beard 0-1, D. Finnegan; Niall McDermott 1-2, Anthony Gaynor 0-2, one '45', Paul Galligan 1-2. Subs - K. Smith 0-1 for D. Finnegan (injured); T. Smith for D. Beard (injured); R. Brennan for Niall McDermott; T. Moore for P. Galligan; C. Brady for C. McDermott. Dunloy - G. McIlfatrick; C. Brogan, C. McKinley, D. Webb; B. Murphy, P. Shivers, C. Cunning; J. McAleese, G. McAllister; B. McGarry 1-1, A. McAllister 0-1, D. Birt; K. McAllister 1-0, K. McQuillan, J. McFerran. Subs - C. Cunning for D. Birt (injured); B. Marron for P. Shivers; J. McAllister for B. Murphy; D. McGarry 0-1 for J. McAleese; S. Boyle for C. Brogan. Referee - Gerry McCarron from Monaghan. Tweet

Most Read Stories