Rampant Ballycran knock Slaughtneil off their throne

Ulster Senior Club Hurling Championship Semi-Final 2018

Ballycran (Down) 4-15

Slaughtneil (Derry) 1-14

From Odhrán Crumley in Corrigan Park

Down champions, Ballycran have caused a seismic shock by dumping the reigning Ulster champions, Slaughtneil out in the last four.

Ballycran led by two at the break after bringing a real intensity to the game which their counterparts simply couldn’t match.

First half goals from James Coyle and Niall Breen coupled with the accurate free taking of Scott Nicholson ensured they led 2-6 to 1-7 at the interval after Meehaul McGrath pulled a goal back on the whistle.

In the second half Cormac O’Doherty tried to lead a revival with a dead eye from frees but scores from Colum McManus, Nicholson and goals from James Coyle and substitute Christopher Egan ensured that Ballycran would romp home for a famous victory.

They now meet Antrim champions, Cushendall in the Ulster final in two weeks time.

Slaughtneil: Gareth O’Kane, Ruairi McCartney, Sean Cassidy, Paul McNeil, Cormac McKenna, Christopher McKaigue (0-1), Karl McKaigue, Shane McGuigan, Mark McGuigan (0-1), Brendan Rogers (0-2), Gerald Bradley (0-1), Meehaul McGrath (1-0) Sé McGuigan (0-1), Brian Cassidy (0-1), Cormac O’Doherty (0-7 all frees)

Subs: Conor McAlister for Meehaul McGrath (46), Séan Ó Caiside for Mark McGuigan (47)

Ballycran: Stephen Keith, Michael Hughes, Patrick Hughes, Sean Ennis, Michael Taylor, Paudie Flynn, Brett Nicholson, Scott Nicholson (0-7 0-4 frees), Phelim Savage, Cormac McAlister, Conor Woods (0-1), Liam Savage (0-1), Niall Breen (1-0) Colum McManus (0-6 all frees), James Coyle (2-0)

Subs: Christopher Egan (1-0) for Niall Breen (43), Gerard Hughes for Cormac McAlister (49)

Referee: James Clarke (Cavan)