MacCumhaill’s out of luck in Ulster Minor Hurling final against Dungannon

Sean MacCumhaill’s great run in the Leadon Timber Frames Ulster Minor Club hurling Shield came to an end in the final with Eoghan Ruadh, Dungannon proving too good.

The Twin Towns side had a very big 3-15 to 0-3 win over Carrickmacross in the semi-final but the final opponents from Tyrone were a step too far in the final played in Ballinascreen.

In difficult conditions Eoghan Ruadh had a star in Cormac McErlean, who accounted for all but two of the winners’ total.

The Donegal champions had first use of the breeze and Dylan Patton opened the scoring in the 9th minute from a free. McErlean pointed a free six minutes later and in the 24th minute responded to Rory Doherty’s point to make it 0-2 each.

In the last few minutes of the half however, the Dungannon side made a significant statement by edging ahead with points from McErlean and substitute Christopher Gildernew who converted with his first touch of the sliotar.

With the wind at their back McErlean hit six points in-a-row to put Eoghan Ruadh on their way to victory. MacCumhaill’s best player Dylan Patton posted two excellent points in the final quarter but the result was  never in doubt at that stage.

McErlean rose above the conditions with his exhibition of scoring, but overall Eoghan Ruadh were the better team and always looked likely winners against the Donegal champions who had to field without their talismanic forward Daniel Donnelly who failed a late fitness test.

Eoghan Ruadh will now progress to play Derry champions Lavey in next Friday’s Cup semi-final with the winners will play either Bredagh or Glenaniffe-Glenravel.

Eoghan Ruadh scorers: C McErlean 0-9, 5fs, A Molloy and C Gildernew 0-1 each.

Sean Mac Cumhaill’s scorers: D Patton 0-3, 1 free, R Doherty 0-1

Eoghan Ruadh: M Price, J Rafferty, R O’Sullivan, M Martin, O Mullan, S Fay, F McGrath, L Hughes, P Mullin, C Quinn, B Girvan, C Bell, C McErlean, A Molloy, S óg O’Donnell.

Subs: C Gildernew for S Fay (27), E Skeffinton for S óg O’Donnell (55), P Colton for O Mullin (58), D Ó Faoláin for C Quinn (60).

Sean Mac Cumhaill’s: F Mac an Ultaigh, D Bradley-Flynn, A Byrne, S Bradley, O Mullen, J Malone, L Byrne, P Kelly, S Brady-Devenney, R Doherty, R McBrearty, D Patton, T McNulty, F McGinty, D Byrne.

Subs: J Gallen for D Byrne (39), L Gallen for F McGinty (51), S McNulty for L Byrne (54), U Ó Giollagáin for R McBrearty (60).

Referee: A Nash (Derry)