Gilligan plays lead role for Ballinderry

Derry SFC Final: Ballinderry 2-11, The Loup 0-9 Ballinderry claimed the Derry crown at Celtic Park yesterday as The Loup finished…

Derry SFC Final: Ballinderry 2-11, The Loup 0-9 Ballinderry claimed the Derry crown at Celtic Park yesterday as The Loup finished with 13 men following the dismissals of John Young and Aidan McAlynn.

Goals from Darren Conway after five minutes and Darren Crozier eight minutes from the end were decisive. Captain Conleth Gilligan contributed six points and had a hand in both goals.

Ballinderry opened the scoring through a Gilligan free in the first minute and extended their advantage when Conway fisted to the net. When Martin Harney pointed it was 1-2 to 0-0 with eight minutes played. Points from Paul McFlynn (free), Gavin Mallon and two Enda McQuillan frees saw The Loup close the gap to one point by the 24th minute.

However, two points from Gilligan gave Ballinderry a 1-4 to 0-4 lead at the break.

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BALLINDERRY: M Conlan; K McGuckin, N McCusker, D Crozier (1-1); P Wilson, R McGuckin, M McIver; J Conway (0-1), S Donnelly; D Conway (1-1), C Gilligan (0-6, five frees), M Harney (0-1); J Bateson, E Muldoon, R Wilkinson. Subs: C Devlin for Harney (48 mins), K McGuckin for S Donnelly, (52 mins), B Conway (0-1) for Wilson (52 mins), R Devlin for Bateson, M Muldoon for Wilkinson (both 58 mins).

LOUP: S McGuckin; J Young, P O'Kane, J Devlin; A McAlynn, J O'Kane, F Devlin; J McBride (0-1), J O'Kane; B McVey, P McFlynn (0-1, free), G Mallon (0-1); E McQuillan (0-5, four frees), S McFlynn, P Young. Subs: P McVey for B McVey (40 mins), F McVey for Mallon (43 mins), C McVey for P O'Kane (56 mins), C Hegarty for Ferghal McVey (59 mins).

Referee: J J Cleary (Castledawson).