Martin the hero as Bonagee United win the Ulster Shield against Moville Celtic

An early goal from captain Jason Martin made the difference as Bonagee United were crowned winners of the Ulster Shield against Moville Celtic in Diamond Park, Ballyare.

Martin’s goal came after just ten minutes, slotting in from the left in a game where chances were few.

But Moville had their chance to level the game late on, but Joshua Lafferty’s penalty with 85 minutes gone hit the top of the crossbar as Bonagee held on.

It was the Dry Arch Park men who had the better start in this game, with Shai Thompson cutting in from the right and playing it low to Kyle Martin, but his first-time effort went just wide.

Bonagee had a couple of more efforts, first as Fintan Hasson had a shot blocked that fell to Thompson, and he forced a good save out of Jordan McLaughlin.

But they broke the deadlock on ten minutes, Kian Fletcher's cross finding Jason Martin at the back post, with the left winger taking a touch before curling it into the far corner past McLaughlin.

Moville did waken up after that and had a few set pieces, but Michael McNaught and Deaglan Lynch both had shots at goal blocked, the former’s effort looking like it was heading for the corner of the net before the block.

Bonagee could have got a second as Kyle Martin stole possession high up, but his effort was tame as McLaughlin held.

A good bit of trickery in the box from the same man allowed him a bit of space, but his shot was blocked as Sean Hume’s men led by a goal at the break.

The Inishowen men started the second half well, with a McNaught bicycle kick attempt saved by Luke Doherty, while Conor Lafferty flashed a shot just wide from an Eoghan McLaughlin cross.

Marc Bell got McNaught through on goal, but a great bit of defending from Luke Coyle helped Luke Doherty pick up the ball.

Bell then was played in behind and had a chance, but his touch let him down.

Moville almost got in again as Bell found McNaught on the left of the box, with the winger dragging his shot wide, and substitute Conor Gillen was inches off sliding the ball in from two yards out.

Bell had another effort hit the side netting, while substitute Oisin Lynch had a goal-bound shot cleared by Coyle as the Moville men piled on the pressure in the final ten minutes.

READ NEXT: New Donegal athletics records for Ethan Dewhirst and Oisín Ó Gailín

And they got their chance on 86 minutes as McNaught chased down a loose ball, with Doherty coming out to claim, but the winger got to the ball first and was taken out, with Mick Lagan pointing to the penalty spot.

Joshua Lafferty stepped up, and his effort was down the middle, but he put too much height on it as the ball hit the top of the crossbar and went over.

Moville continued to press, but Bonagee defended well from a couple of dangerous corners as they held out to take the Shield title.

Bonagee United: Luke Doherty; Blake Meredith, Charlie Bonner, Oisin Feeney, Luke Coyle; Fintan Hasson (Joel Jimmy 71), Ryan Creevy, Kian Fletcher, Jason Martin; Kyle Martin (Conor Stewart 85), Shai Thompson (Aidan McLaughlin 62).

Moville Celtic: Jordan McLaughlin; Eoghan McLaughlin, Dermot Harkin, Lee McColgan, Deaglan Lynch; Jay Gillen (Conor Gillen 55), Dean McMullan (Oisin Lynch 77), Joshua Lafferty, Michael McNaught; Conor Lafferty, Marc Bell (Evan Davenport 77)

Referee: Mick Lagan