McManus goal fires Cushendall victory

Cushendall (Antrim) 2-10 Slaughtneil (Derry) 0-10

The Antrim champions held firm against the wind, with Neil McManus’ 39th- minute penalty a crucial score in yesterday’s semi-final replay in Loughgiel.

They led Slaughtneil 1-4 to 0-3 at half-time, Karl McKeegan pouncing for the opening goal after 26 minutes, but with the strength of the wind, it did not look like a big enough cushion.

Slaughtneil cut the deficit after half-time with scores from Sean McGuigan, Gareth O’Kane and a monster free from Cormac McKenna.

Cushendall won a penalty when McKeegan was hauled down in the square by full-back Sean Cassidy, and McManus converted.

Cushendall play Portaferry (Down) in next week’s decider. McKeegan was their only starter to score from play although Shane McNaughton and Paddy McGill contributed 0-2 from the bench.

Scorers for Cushendall: N McManus (1-5, pen, 4f, 1 ‘65’), K McKeegan 1-1, S McNaughton 0-2, P McGill 0-2

Scorers for Slaughtneil: G O’Kane 0-3 (3f), C McKenna 0-2 (2f), B Rodgers 0-2, S McGuigan, O Doherty, C Doherty 0-1 each

CUSHENDALL: E Gillan; R McCambridge, M Burke, A Graffin; P McNaughton, P Burke, S Delargy; N McManus, E Campbell; S McAfee, C Carson, K McKeegan; A McNaughton, D McNaughton, C McNaughton

Subs: P McGill for McAfee (18), S McNaughton for C McNaughton (HT), E Laverty for Delargy (56)

SLAUGHTNEIL: E McGuigan; P Kearney, S Cassidy, B Og Corbett; K McKaigue, C McKenna, J Mulholland; G Bradley, C McKaigue; G O’Kane, M McGuigan, S McGuigan; O Doherty, C Doherty, B Rodgers

Subs: M McGrath for P Kearney (22), D Kearney for M McGuigan (58)

Referee: Brendan Sweeney (Cavan).