Emphatic win for Ballinderry against Latton

Ballinderry (Derry) 1-11 Latton (Monaghan) 0-10, Ballinascreen

Raymond Wilkinson's 33rd-minute goal was the vital score as Ballinderry withstood the challenge of a determined Latton at Ballinascreen this afternoon.

This game produced some top drawer football from both sides, but victory came at a cost for the Derry champions who will now have to prepare for their Ulster semi-final with Cavan Gaels without the services of Michael McIver.

The talented Derry player was forced to withdraw during the first half because of injury, with the sides level at 0-05 each at the interval.

It was Ballinderry who made the stronger start and they led by 0-05 to 0-01 early in the contest thanks to four points from the boot of Conleith Gilligan.

Gilligan top-scored with six points for the eventual winners in a game which also produced some controversy - Latton were reduced to 14 men late in the opening half.

The Monaghan champions had finished strongly before half-time with Bernard O'Brien kicking three fine points to equalise.

But they suffered a late blow when a red card was brandished to Barry McCabe after an off-the-ball incident.

Latton were hit again on the restart when Wilkinson's goal propelling Ballinderry back in front and the Derry outfit failed to look back, securing a four-point winning margin.