Slaughtneil History Makers

Slaughtneil 2-14 Loughgiel 1-13

IF YOU knock hard enough and often enough the door will always open.  On Sunday Slaughtneil backed up that mantra and kicked down the door of destiny to land an historic first Ulster Hurling Championship.

The scoreline didn’t reflect the dominance of the Derry champions.  Loughgiel got a warning in 2013 of the intensity required but on Sunday Slaughtneil were able to sustain it until James Clarke’s final whistle.

The tight corners they have been in since has taught them vital lessons in game management, composure and sticking to the plan.  The last time Eddie McCloskey staged a rally that bowled Slaughtneil over.  On Sunday it was Joey Scullion but the maroon clad warriors hung tight and came through the other side.

In the build-up to the game goalkeeper Oisin O’Doherty spoke about his side playing in tight games whereas the Shamrocks were winning tight games.  The corner has been turned.

With captain Chrissy McKaigue leading by example Slaughtneil romped to a nine point lead before Loughgiel raised a flag.  McKaigue’s skill, industry and ravenous hunger set down a marker for others to follow.  And they did.

Paul McNeill, Sean Cassidy and Karl McKaigue were superb in curbing Loughgiel dangermen Eddie McCloskey Benny McCarry and Shea Casey.  Shane McGuigan played without fear on Liam Watson.  Age is only a number and this new crop know nothing else only winning.  That’s why last year cut so deep.

Last year against Cushendall when Conor Carson began to turn the game Slaughtneil were crying out for a ball winner.  On Sunday Gerald Bradley’s ‘hang time’ leaps helped the cause.

Alongside him was Éanna Ó’Caiside who endured an emotionally charged week.  It didn’t show in his performance – his graft and composure was vital.  When called ashore with 55 minutes on the clock his job was done.  The almighty ovation he received from the Slaughtneil fans was spine-tingling.

BANG

For all Slaughtneil’s hunger it takes skill and panache to win championships.  Their first nine minutes ticked both boxes in what was a relentless period.  They hunted Loughgiel down and tore their defence to ribbons – a defence that closed them out three years ago.

Sé McGuigan and Brendan Rogers were virtually unstoppable with Cormac O’Doherty acting as the wizard of the trio.

O’Doherty scored the opening point from a free and minutes later when DD Quinn denied Sé McGuigan O’Doherty pounced for the game’s first goal.   Mark McGuigan set up Sé for a point as Slaughtneil continued to dominate.  Chrissy McKaigue was the conductor but when Ronan McCloskey cut out his intended pass to Brendan Rogers, McCloskey was hounded by Rogers who picked his pocket before slotting over the bar.

Soon the Loughgiel’s net was bulging again, this time it was Rogers after a Sé McGuigan pass and the Slaughtneil fans were in raptures.   Could they sustain this electric start?

The only mistake on Chrissy McKaigue’s performance saw a mix-up between him and Sean Cassidy allowing Benny McCarry to pop over Loughgiel’s first score.

It sparked a mini revival but Slaughtneil had an answer.  Gerald Bradley’s breath-taking catch saw him fouled and Cormac O’Doherty popped over another free.

Joey Scullion was introduced and his experience helped Loughgiel get a grip of the game.

Maol Connolly with two frees and an Eddie McCloskey point after a James Campbell pass but at the other end their defence was open.  Meehaul McGrath’s clearance was directed to Sé McGuigan who showed a clean pair of heels to the Loughgiel defence before passing to Rogers but DD Quinn was alert with the save.

The playing surface left a lot to be desired with more sand than grass.  It created rucks as players had no leverage for the jab lifts.  Before half time the ball bobbled around for an extended period before Chrissy McKaigue grabbed it and scored a point to keep the momentum with Slaughtneil.

Half-Time: Slaughtneil 2-8 Loughgiel 0-7

The first eight minutes of the second half saw both teams grab two points each but Cormac O’Doherty’s free from his own 65 metre line, near the sideline, was a touch of class.  The other side of his game helped produce his only point from play – the sheer desire to turnover a defender before arrowing over the bar.

Shane McGuigan’s performance, in the second half in particular, was of one beyond his years.  His dominance frustrated Liam Watson but on the one occasion ‘Winker’ got away, he set up Mark McFadden but ‘keeper O’Doherty came to the rescue with the save.

A minute later the luck wasn’t with the Emmets ‘keeper as Joey Scullion squeezed home a goal narrowing the gap to five points.  This was the moment the soul searching since last October would have been geared towards – with the game in the mix.

Then came a series of events that kept Slaughtneil in the ascendency.  Ó’Caiside’s inspirational catch.  Brian Cassidy hounding Campbell into a mistake.  The substitution of Watson and the ripples of negativity it generated in Loughgiel’s confidence.

There was a fourth factor – the introduction of Conor McAllister.  Speaking after the county final, McAllister was just ‘privileged’ to get a spot on the team.

After losing his place on Ulster Final day, the unassuming utility player played an important substitute role for the final 20 minutes.  He cut out attacks, cleared his lines and brought a calmness to the half back line.

With ten minutes to go Brian Cassidy and Cormac O’Doherty combined for Sé McGuigan to open up another six point lead.

‘Duck’ McFadden and Maol Connolly chipped away at the lead and with the experience of Barney McAuley coming in from the bench, Johnny Campbell tossed the dice for the last time.

With three minutes to go McAuley’s close range free brought a full length diving save from Oisin O’Doherty.  McAuley slotted the ‘65’ over the bar and a free moments later and there was just three points between the sides.

With 30 minutes played, Cormac O’Doherty was faced with a side-line ball.  It was the exact same place as last year when he needed to score to force a replay with Cushendall.  This time there was a happy ending, with Chrissy McKaigue latching on to the loose ball from O’Doherty’s delivery to land the insurance point.

Shane McGuigan with a block and Mark McGuigan back picking up a loose ball in his own defence summed up the hunger in the final few minutes.  Slaughtneil finished the day as they started – ravenous for success.  That elusive, historic first title.

Paul Gillan got dismissed in the closing stages but it was immaterial – Slaughtneil were Ulster champions.

Slaughtneil: Oisin O’Doherty, Ruairi McCartney, Karl McKaigue, Sean Cassidy, Shane McGuigan, Paul McNeill, Meehaul McGrath, Éanna Ó’Caiside, Chrissy McKaigue (0-3), Gerald Bradley, Cormac O’Doherty (1-9, 8f), Cormac McKenna, Brendan Rogers (1-0), Sé McGuigan (0-2), Mark McGuigan.

Subs: Brian Cassidy for C McKenna (Blood sub 41, reversed 50), Conor McAllister for R McCartney (46), Gareth O’Kane for C McKenna (52), Brian Cassidy for E Cassidy (55).

Loughgiel: DD Quinn, Paul Gillan, Neil McGarry, Ronan McCloskey, James Campbell, Tony McCloskey, Tiernan Coyle, Mark McFadden (0-2), Damon McMullan, Maol Connolly (0-5f), Eddie McCloskey (0-1), Donal McKinley (0-1), Brendan McCarry (0-1), Liam Watson (0-1), Shay Casey.

Subs: Joey Scullion (1-0) for R McCloskey (22), Odhran McFadden for L Watson (44), Barney McAuley (0-2, 1f, 1 ‘65’) for M Connolly (54), Dan McCloskey for S Casey (55).

Attendance: 5,635

Ref: James Clarke (Cavan)

Man of the Match – Chrissy McKaigue

Boss Mickey McShane asked his captain for the performance of his life.  On the biggest stage McKaigue was immense in the opening period when Slaughtneil showed no mercy.  At vital stages he swept possession and the final point insured it was going to be a maroon day.

Score of the game – Chrissy McKaigue point

With five minutes to the interval McKaigue was at the bottom on a ruck and scooped the sliotar from the sandy surface.  He headed out to wing before landing a brilliant score from right in front of the Slaughtneil supporters.

Turning point – Sé McGuigan

The opening nine minutes effectively won the game for Slaughtneil but when Joe Scullion scored Loughgiel’s goal the next score was going to be important.  Brian Cassidy and Cormac O’Doherty worked the ball out of traffic and Sé McGuigan did the rest.