Ulster Senior Hurling C'ship: Slaughtneil eye up final spot against Down champs

Derry champions Slaughtneil travel to Dungannon take on Ballycran in an Ulster Senior Hurling Club Championship semi-final this afternoon (throw-in 3.30pm).

Ballycran recently won their first Down SHC title since 2011, scoring 1-04 in the last 10 minutes to clinch victory over Ballygalget in the decider, the final score reading 1-15 to 0-16.

Slaughtneil manager Michael McShane is expecting a tough game.

He said: “It will be a very, very competitive game. A one-point victory will do me.

“They surprisingly haven’t won the Down championship for the last three years, but they got over the line this year and so that monkey will be off their backs.

“They are very, very sharp up front and very tough defensively. It’s going to be a real battle, a real 50/50 game.”