Cushendall win Ulster Club title in extra time thriller

AIB Ulster Club Senior Hurling Championship Final:
Cushendall (Antrim) 1-24 Slaughtneil (Derry) 3-17 (after extra-time)

Christy McNaughton’s magnificent strike gave Cushendall a record-equalling tenth Ulster SHC title at the expense of Slaughtneil after extra-time at the Athletic Grounds.

In a pulsating encounter from start to finish, Slaughtneil, who were seeking to become the first Derry side to win the Ulster crown, couldn’t close the deal despite goals from Brendan Rodgers, Gareth O’Kane and Brian Cassidy.

Rodger’s effort gave them a 1-7 to 0-8 half-time, and they struck twice after the break but McNaughton’s effort was decisive.

It took a late equaliser from Slaughtneil’s Cormac O’Doherty to drag the game into extra-time, but the Derry champions couldn’t prevent Cushendall equalling Cuchullians’ record.

The second period of extra-time was the defining half, when Cushendall outscored their opposition five points to two, and soldiered to victory by the minimum.

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AIB Ulster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Final:
Creggan (Antrim) 2-12 Eire Og (Tyrone) 1-7

Goals from Conor McCann and Conor Small helped Kickhams Creggan to an 8 point victory over Eire Og Carrickmore in the AIB Ulster Club Intermediate Hurling Championship Final, played at Owenbeg.

The success was notable for the Antrim club, who have collected the Provincial Intermediate title just two years after winning the Junior decider.

The game was close in the opening quarter with both sides exchanging points, but Creggan hit 1-8 without reply to open up a commanding 11 point lead.

Eire Og tried their best to haul themselves back into the game as they outscored their opponents 0-4 to 0-2 in the third quarter, but Small’s 50th minute major put the game beyond doubt.

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AIB Ulster Club Junior Hurling Championship Final:
Eoghan Rua (Derry) 3-15 Ballela (Down) 0-7

In the Junior Final, played as a curtain raiser to the Intermediate decider at Owenbeg, Derry’s Eoghan Rua blew away Ballela with considerable ease.

First half goals from Kieran Gaile (penalty) and Colm McGoldrick gave Eoghan Rua a 2-5 to 0-4 lead at the break, and it was a lead they would not relinquish.

A third goal in the second half from Thomas Magee added extra gloss to the victory, and Eoghan Rua will now proceed to play Manchester based Fullen Gaels in the All-Ireland quarter final.