Glenowen snatch late title winner
There was little between the sides after Ballaghy, with just 14 men shortly after the interval, saw Glenowen take full advantage and they fight back from three points down.
Ballaghy began in impressive fashion as Ronan Rocks opened the scoring. Glenowen came back with scores from Paddy Bradley, Donal Boylan and Eoin Bradley to give Glenowen a three-point lead midway into the first period.
Ronan Rocks then cut inside the defence and kicked between the posts with his left foot to reduce the deficit to just two points.
Both sides were guilty of missing a series of scoring opportunities before Glenowen went further ahead. Neal Mullan cleverly found Donal Boylan who struck his shot over bar. Ballaghy levelled the scores once again when Eoin Brown forced his way through, rounded the keeper and punched the ball into the net.
Paddy Bradley had a chance then to give Glenowen the lead going in at half time but he directed his shot wide.
Ballaghy came out strongest after the break. Substitute Conan Browne made an immediate impact within 45 seconds of the restart. He pointed to leave the score at 0-5 to 1-4. The final moment of the game came on the 40th minute when Ballaghy’s Kevin Doherty received a second yellow for lashing out on Neal Mullan. Glenowen sensed victory and they clawed their way back when Dominic McIvor pointed from distance. Paddy Bradley then successfully converted a free just inside the Ballaghy half to level the scores once again.
Paddy Bradley scored another point to put Glenowen back in front but it was short-lived as Fergal Doherty quickly broke and fisted over the bar with 10 minutes remaining.
The game looked destined for extra time before Paddy Bradley lashed onto a high ball, found space and shot over the bar to secure the John McLoughlin Cup for Glenowen.
Ballaghy: E Browne 1-2; C Browne 0-1; R Rocks 0-2; F Doherty 0-1. Glenowen: P Bradley 0-4, B Mullen 0-1; D McIvor 0-1; ; R Boylan 0-1; D Boylan 0-1; Donal Boylan 0-1; E Bradley 0-1.
M O’Neill, M McGoldrick, M McShane, K Doherty, E Scullion, K McNally, P Diamond, R Rocks, J Diver, R McNally, G Doherty, G Diamond, D Graffin, C Murray, E Browne. Subs. S McNally for McShane; K McLarnon for D Graffin; C Browne for G Doherty.
S O’Kane, E O’Kane, B Mullen, B Mullen, S Mullen, J O’Kane, G O’Kane, R Boylan, N Mullen, Dominic McIvor, D Boylan, C Bradley, D Hasson, P Bradley, E Bradley. Subs. D McNicholl for S Mullen; B Raferty for D Hasson; D Higgins for D McNicholl.
I Toland (Banagher).
