AIB Ulster Club SHC Semi-Finals
Sleacht Néill 1-23 Portaferry 1-18
Sleacht Néill once again produced a strong finish to edge out Portaferry in Sunday’s Ulster Club SHC semi-final at Armagh, echoing their victory over the same opponents in last year’s provincial final.
The game had been finely balanced until substitute Gerald Bradley’s second-half goal swung momentum firmly in favour of the defending champions.
Up to that point, Down champions Portaferry had matched their opponents, with Daithi Sands’ first-half goal standing out as a key moment. At halftime, Sleacht Néill held a slender one-point lead, 0-12 to 1-8, and the second half continued in similarly tight fashion.
Two frees from Cathal Coleman appeared to give Portaferry a late surge, but Bradley’s decisive strike in the closing minutes sealed the win, sending the Derry side through to another provincial final.
St John’s 3-20 Setanta 0-12
After 53 years away from the Ulster Hurling Championship, Antrim champions St John’s made a commanding return with a 3-20 to 0-12 win over Donegal’s Setanta at Owenbeg on Saturday evening.
Setanta started brightly, with Bernard Lafferty and Gerard Gilmore giving them an early lead. St John’s were slow to start but soon hit their stride as Conor Johnston netted the opening goal. Oisin McManus and Shea Shannon added scores while Donal Carson won a late first-half penalty.
Despite Setanta clawing back with frees from Gilmore and a goal chance, St John’s dominated the second half, with Johnston and Carson adding further goals, while McManus racked up more scores, 0-12 for the evening, to seal a comprehensive victory for the Belfast side.
By Michael Devlin Mon 17th Nov
