Loughgiel fight back to retain Ulster title

Loughgiel celebrate their Ulster Final win against Slaughtneil. Picture by John McIlwaine/Presseye.com

Loughgiel had to fight back from eight points down in the first half to subdue a hugely-committed Slaughtneil side in the Ulster Club Hurling decider.

Slaughtneil had Loughgiel severely rattled as Cormac McKenna’s goal help them lead 1-6 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.

But two Eddie McCloskey goals steadied Loughgiel as Slaughtneil’s lead was cut to four by the break at Celtic Park.

Shay Casey’s goal levelled the game and the holders used their second-half wind advantage to good effect to pull away.

The Derry champions were not expected to unduly trouble the 2012 All-Ireland winners but the Emmet’s outfit started like men possessed as they tore into the four-in-a-row seeking Shamrocks.

But in the end Neilly McGarry got to lift the trophy for Loughgiel (above).

Loughgiel: C O’Connell; P Gillan, N McGarry, R McCloskey; T Coyle, M Scullion, O McFadden; M McFadden, T McCloskey (0-1); B McAuley (0-2), D Laverty (0-1), E McCloskey (2-2); B McCarry (0-1), S Casey (1-0), L Watson (0-7, 6f). Subs: D McCloskey for Coyle (47).