Ulster minor hurling title for MacCumhaills as they overcome Éire Óg

There was a shock win for Donegal side Sean Mac Cumhaill’s in yesterday’s Leadon Timberframe Ulster minor hurling shield final in Ballinascreen.

MacCumhaill’s, 1-9 to 0-6 winners over Keady in last week’s semi-final, played with the breeze in the first half and led by 0-8 to 0-4 against favourites Éire Óg Carrickmore who had qualified via a big win over Ballinaleck last week.

Dylan Patton inflicted most of the damage with some excellent scores from play and frees. He also had a goal opportunity after 20 minutes, but his lob over Conor McPhillips went marginally wide of the posts.

The pivotal moment of the game occurred midway through the second half when Shea Munroe had a shot for goal saved. Moments later a long free from Daniel Donnelly was broken and Conor Gallan kicked it to the Carrickmore net.

Although Pauric Kelly was shown a straight red moments later for grabbing an opponent’s faceguard, the three-in-a-row Donegal champions pushed on with a second goal when Jamie Fallon pulled on a loose ball in the goal area.

Munroe goaled for Carrickmore late in the game, but too late to stop a first Minor title going to Donegal.  

The Player of the Match award went to Ultan Coyle, while Daniel Donnelly’s performance and Patton’s marksmanship were also key to the outcome that means that Sean MacCumhaill’s will now play Ballygalget in Sunday’s Cup semi-final at 12pm. That will be followed by the clash of Kevin Lynch’s and Cushendall at 2.15pm

MacCumhaills: D Patton 0-7, 4f, J Fallon and C Gallan 1-0 each, P Kelly, R Doherty and D Byrne 0-1 each

Éire Óg: S Munroe 1-4, 0-3f, C McGlinchey 0-3, 3f, P McCrory and T Tracey 0-1 each.