Slaughtneil crowned AIB Ulster Hurling Senior Champions

Ulster GAA President Oliver Galligan presents the Four Seasons Cup to Slaughtneil captain Chrissy McKaigue

Slaughtneil were crowned AIB Ulster Hurling Senior Champions as they produced a fantastic second half display in front of a crowd of 4,984 at Páirc Esler, Newry.

It was quite the day for the Robert Emmet’s club as they also claimed the AIB Ulster Camogie Senior Club title in the curtain raiser against Loughgiel.

It was Dunloy who started the brighter and led through Eoin O’Neill in the second minute. Slaughtneil missed a number of chances before finally finding their range from a 95 metre Cormac O’Doherty free.

The sides traded scores during the first half with Conal Cunning leading the line for Dunloy and Brendan Rogers and O’Doherty proving dangerous for Slaughtneil.

The Derry men eventually got to grips with the game and Jerome McGuigan, Gerard Bradley and Chrissy McKaigue all on target to give Slaughtneil a 0-8 to 0-6 lead.

Sé McGuigan and Cormac O’Doherty pointed early in the second half to give Slaughtneil a four point lead before Cunning hit back with two points for Dunloy.

Meehaul McGrath pointed for Slaughtneil before the game’s crucial score as O’Doherty converted a penalty after he had been fouled when through on goal.

Cunning and Seaan Elliott pointed for Dunloy to close the gap but Jerome McGuigan, Mark McGuigan and Brendan Rogers all pointed to give the Robert Emmet’s a third AIB Ulster Senior Hurling title in four years.