Sparkling Shamrocks book date with Munster champions

IT took Loughgiel half an hour to come to grips with the conditions in yesterday’s rain-lashed Ulster Club SHC final against Ballycran at Casement Park, but once the Shamrocks turned on the style they demolished the Ards men.

Hot favourites Loughgiel ran out the easy winners and booked their spring All-Ireland semi-final place against the Munster champions with a classy second-half performance.

By half time they led by just 0-8 to 0-5 and it seemed a shock result could be on the cards but a different Shamrocks’ team emerged after the break.