Loughgiel again the kings
Shamrocks were pushed all the way by Dunloy in a hard-fought battle although the reigning champions were never headed from the moment Liam Watson struck the opening point after three minutes.
Loughgiel were full value for their 0-4 to 0-0 lead after 12 minutes, the pick of the scores coming from Joey Scullion. Dunloy’s half-back line started to get on top, but the forward line should have had more to show than Paddy Doherty’s lone 17 minute point.
The sides were all square when Sean Dowds fired to the Loughgiel net but parity only lasted for 30 seconds, Shay Casey scoring the game’s second and final goal. Dunloy responded well, tacking on three unanswered scores at the end of the half through Dowds, Shiels and Liam Richmond to leave the score 1-4 apiece at the short whistle.
Loughgiel play Armagh champions Middletown Na Fianna in the Ulster semi-final on Sunday, October 14.
DUNLOY: N McKeague; M McClements, J McKeague (0-1), P Shivers; K McKeague, K Molloy, C McKinley; S Dowds (1-1), N Elliott; K McQuillan, L Richmond (0-1), P Shiels (0-1f); P Richmond, P Doherty (0-3f), C Cunning
Subs: C Brogan for C Cunning.
LOUGHGIEL: DD Quinn; P Gillan, M McGarry, R McCloskey; James Campbell, M Scullion, Johnny Campbell; B McAuley, T McCloskey; L Watson (0-7, 5f, 0-1 65), D Laverty (0-1), E McCloskey; B McCarry (0-1), J Scullion (0-1), S Casey (1-1)
Sub: S Dobbin for S Casey.
Referee: G Duffy (St Galls).
