Camogie final replay set for Glen on Saturday

SLAUGHTNEIL joint camogie manager Damien McEldowney was 'a bit disappointed' his side didn't grab an historic first Ulster title last Sunday. Mary Kelly's 55th minute equaliser saved the Derry champions who had staged an inspired comeback from a four point deficit in the closing stages.

Glen (3.45) is the venue for Saturday's replay - a welcome change after both hurling and camogie deciders were played in atrocious conditions on a sandy Athletic Grounds' surface.  Players struggled to pick the ball with the lack of grass.

In the drawn game Loughgiel made the most of their opportunities as both teams broke even in the possession stakes but the Shamrocks looked more dangerous.  After a period of sustained pressure after half time Slaughtneil failed to add to Mary Kelly's vital goal.

Racquel McCarry looked to have won the game for Loughgiel with a gem of a point to open up a four point lead.  Slaughtneil didn't bow down to the challenge.   Louise Dougan (twice) from frees, Éilis Ni Chaiside and the late Kelly point tied the game.

"If you have given me a draw at half-time I would have ripped the arm off you," commented McEldowney after the game.  He wasn't shocked by Mary Kelly's goal: "That's Mary - she does it all the time in training and it was the lift we needed."

McEldowney hoped for another bumper crowd on Saturday.  "The crowd was unbelievable.  The roar that went up in the second half sent chills down my spine and we'll need more of the same the next day to get the girls over the line."