Dec 02,2024
Slaughtneil (Derry) 2-19 Portaferry (Down) 1-19
Slaughtneil turned on the power in a devastating final quarter as they came from eight points behind to claim a fifth Ulster Club SHC title at the Box-It Athletic Grounds.
Portaferry's pace and quick movement of the ball had the Derry men in deep trouble, as they struggled to get going throughout a sluggish first half, with the Down champions controlling the tempo.
But on a day that saw shock final results in Munster and Connacht, two quickfire goals from Se McGuigan and Shea Cassidy were the game-changers the favourites needed to reward their patience and self-belief.
Portaferry, seeking just a second provincial crown, did go back in front briefly with a late goal, but they were overwhelmed by a transformed Oak Leaf force, unflinching in its march to an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Sarsfields of Cork.
The Down men raced into an early four points lead in an explosive opening, with Matthew Conlan, Eoghan Sands, Tom McGrattan all hitting the target, before Niall Fitzsimmons sprinted through the Slaughtneil defence for a brilliant individual effort.
The pace of Fitzsimmons and Daithi Sands caused immense problems as they cut through with intent, but the Emmets steadied the ship to pull back scores through Shane McGuigan and Jack Cassidy.
They were almost undone when another fast move saw Fitzsimmons send Niall Milligan through for a crack at goal, but 'keeper Oisin O’Doherty responded with a brilliant save.
McGrattan converted the resultant 65 and as the relentless press continued, Finn Turpin and Conlan, with a mammoth effort, stretched the lead out to six.
Finn McEldowney, Paul McNeill and Conor Coyle stepped in with challenges that prevented further damage to the Derry cause, and they broke to keep in touch through Ruairi O Mianain and Cormac O’Doherty.
But the men from Portaferry were hungry and mean, pushing the lead out to eight points by the 25-minute mark.
Slaughtneil did have a flourish towards the end of the half, and when corner back McEldowney fired in a snapshot, full-back Tom Murray was perfectly positioned to save off the line.
At the break, Portaferry led by 0-13 to 0-06, and there was still no indication that they may allow their grip on the contest to loosen, even when Slaughtneil trimmed back a handful of scores, through O’Doherty’s accurate striking from placed balls, and Se McGuigan.
McGrattan was equally potent from frees, adding to his mounting tally for a six points cushion going into the final quarter.
But Slaughtneil flicked a switch, stepping up the intensity, with wing-backs Shane McGuigan and Ruairi O’Mianain playing pivotal roles.
And two goals in the space of 90 seconds changed the game completely, both netted clinically by Se McGuigan from assists by cousin Shane and O’Doherty.
The Down champions were reeling, as their opponents flashed over scores to go level through O’Doherty, with two massive frees, before Shane McGuigan gave them the lead for the first time on 53 minutes.
But another twist saw substitute Cathal Coleman fire in a Portaferry goal after a McGrattan free was deflected into his path by a defender.
Slaughtneil were in the zone, however, their momentum unbroken by the setback, and they rattled over the final five points of the game, including two magnificent long range efforts from O Mianain, with Jack Cassidy, Brendan Rogers and O’Doherty also on target.
Slaughtneil: O O’Doherty; F McEldowney, P McNeill, C McAllister; R O Mianain (0-03); C Coyle, Shane McGuigan (0-03); J Cassidy (0-03), M McGrath; M McGuigan, Se McGuigan (1-01), C O’Doherty (0-07. 6f, 1 65); E Cassidy, B Rogers (0-02), S Cassidy (1-00).
Sub: G Bradley for S Cassidy (46).
Portaferry: P Smyth; D Mallon, T Murray, R Smyth; B Trainor, C Taggart, C Milligan; M Conlan (0-03), S Conlan; N Fitzsimmons (0-02), F Turpin (0-02), E Sands (0-01); D Sands (0-02), T McGrattan (0-09, 6f, 2 ’65) N Milligan.
Subs: C Savage for C Milligan (49), C Coleman (1-00) for N Milligan (49), C Fay for Fitzsimmons (52), P Doran for Trainor (58)
Referee: C Cunning (Antrim).
