Historic first title for Coleraine

DERRY SFC FINAL Coleraine 2-11 Ballinderry 0-15: GOALS FROM Richard Carey and Colm McGoldrick within a 60second spell proved…

DERRY SFC FINAL Coleraine 2-11 Ballinderry 0-15:GOALS FROM Richard Carey and Colm McGoldrick within a 60second spell proved decisive for Coleraine as they claimed the John McLaughlin Cup for the first time in their history at Celtic Park.

Despite having had the lion's share of the ball for the first 37 minutes, Coleraine were trailing until captain Richard Carey lashed home a shot from 13 metres to put them in front. When Colm McGoldrick palmed home just seconds later, they were on their way to an historic victory.

Coleraine were the better team in the first half, but despite points from Barry McGoldrick (three) and Ciarán McGoldrick they trailed the more economical Shamrocks, 0-5 to 0-4, at the break, helped by two points apiece from Colin Devlin and Conleith Gilligan.

Further scores from Devlin (two) and Raymond Wilkinson put Ballinderry three ahead. However Barry McGoldrick kicked a steadying free for Coleraine to ignite the match-winning scoring blitz.

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COLERAINE: R McGeough; A Rafferty, C Mullan, C Trolan; C Lenehan, B McGoldrick (0-4, frees), M Mearns; S P Henry, N Holly; R Carey (1-0), S L McGoldrick, D Mullan (0-4); Ciarán McGoldrick (0-2), Colm McGoldrick (1-1), G Bradley. Sub: M McTaggart for A Rafferty (35 mins).

BALLINDERRY: M Conlan; D Bell, N McCusker, K McGuckin; R Scott, M McIver, C Nevin; M Harney, J Conway; E Muldoon, R Wilkinson (0-1), D McGuckin; C Devlin (0-7, five frees), D Conway (0-1), C Gilligan (0-6, two frees, one pen). Subs: R McGuckin for D Bell (3 mins), C Wilkinson for R McGuckin (37), D Bateson for N McCusker (38), B McGuckin for D McGuckin (43), A Devlin for M Harney (48).

Referee: B Cassidy(Bellaghy).