Slaughtneil come from behind to claim fifth Ulster SHC title

COMEBACK: Shea Cassidy celebrates after he scored Slaughtneil second goal. Picture: ©INPHO

Ulster Club SHC final: Slaughtneil 2-19 Portaferry 1-19

Slaughtneil came back from the dead to book their place in an All-Ireland semi-final with victory over Portaferry on Sunday in Armagh.

Trailing 0-18 to 0-10, goals from Sé McGuigan and Shéa Cassidy pulled the Emmet’s back from the bring. When Cathal Coleman goaled for the Down men, it took points from Ruairí Ó Mianáin helped Slaughtneil over the line.

It’s a fifth title for the Derry kingpins who now made their latest assault on an All-Ireland title. Portaferry’s urgency was typified by Matthew Conlan having the ball over the bar after 16 seconds.

The Down champions didn’t look like a team without a competitive game since their county final six weeks ago.

They tore into the game and were on top in every sector. Points from Tom McGrattan, Eoghan Sands and Niall Fitzsimmons flashed over before a Shane McGuigan opening score for Slaughtneil in the fourth minute.

The Emmet’s needed goalkeeper to made a point blank save to deny Niall Mulligan with McGrattan slotting over from the 65 for a 0-6 to 0-1 lead.

Brendan Rogers, Cormac O’Doherty and Ruairi Ó Mianáin were on target for a wasteful Slaughtneil side.

Fionn McEldowney had a goal hance at the other end with Tom Murray flicking the shot off the line.

As the half went on, Portaferry were using the puck-out option Fionn Turpin with Conlan hitting three points as they led -13 to 0-6 at the break.

Slaughtneil staged a mini revival before Portaferry pulled back into the box seat.

The game changed when Ó Mianáin passed for Sé McGuigan to hammer home the first goal.

The cheers had barely died down by the time the net was rippling again.

A Conor Coyle long found Cormac Odoherty in front of goal with Shane McGuigan passing to Shéa Cassidy to lash in the second goal A Shane McGuigan put Slaughtneil ahead for the first time after 54 minutes before Coleman netted after a goalmouth scramble for a 2-14 to 1-19 lead they never lose.

Points from Ó Mianáin, Jack Cassidy and Rogers sealed the deal to book their spot in the All-Ireland series.

Na Fianna were winners in Leinster and take on Loughrea in the other semi-final.

Scorers for Slaughtneil: C O’Doherty 0-7f, J Cassidy, Shane McGuigan, R Ó Mianáin 0-3 each, Sé McGuigan 1-1, Shéa Cassidy 1-0 and B Rogers 0-2 

Scorers for Portaferry: T McGrattan 0-9 (6f, 2 65), M Conlan 0-3, C Coleman 1-0, F Turpin 0-2, D Sands, N Fitzsimmons 0-2 each and E Sands 0-1, 

SLAUGHTNEIL: O O’Doherty; F McEldowney, P McNeill, C McAllister; R Ó Mianáin, C Coyle, Shane McGuigan; J Cassidy, M McGrath; M McGuigan, Sé McGuigan; C O’Doherty; E Cassidy, B Rogers, Shéa Cassidy 

Sub: G Bradley for E Cassidy (47) 

PORTAFERRY: P Smyth; Darragh Mallon, T Murray, R Smyth; B Trainor, C Taggart, C Mulligan; M Conlan, S Conlan; N Fitzsimmons, F Turpin, E Sands; D Sands, T McGrattan, N Mulligan 

Subs: C Savage for C Mulligan (50), C Coleman for T Mulligan (50), C Fay for Fitzsimmons (53), P Doran for Trainor (59) Yellow card: C Mulligan (35) 

Referee: C Cunning (Antrim)