Muldoon has right answer

The ability to answer back immediately, won yesterday's exciting AIB Ulster Club Football final for Ballinderry at Casement Park. The Shamrocks took the title on a 1-10 to 1-7 scoreline, which just about pinpoints the difference between the teams.

The Derry champions were the more solid side. They made better use of the ball and were physically stronger. It was obvious that after Mayobridge tossed aside title favourites Castleblayney, Ballinderry had their homework done.

Rapid running attackers Michael Walsh, Ronan Sexton and Brendan Coulter were well marshalled. They were never allowed an inch and only veteran Mickey Linden (38) had the experience to cut loose at times. Indeed, it seemed a strange decision to take Linden out of the game with six minutes left - a time when a cool head was desperately needed.

A point after 15 seconds by Glen McMahon gave Mayobridge an explosive start but Adrian McGuckin replied at the other end on the minute. The teams were level three times in the opening 21 minutes of fast-flowing football, but the signs were there that Ballinderry had the power for victory.

They took some excellent points from far out with three unanswered scores by Declan Bateson, Sean Donnelly and Adrian McGuckin leaving them ahead 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval.

Michael Walsh fired over a point for the 'Bridge 19 seconds after the restart and when McMahon shook the Shamrocks' net on 37 minutes for the lead it looked like newcomers Mayobridge might go on to a famous victory. However, the cheers hadn't even died down when Ballinderry responded.

Within a minute Sean Donnelly found Enda Muldoon lurking in front of goal and the big man fired home a smashing goal. Points by Declan Bateson and Darren Conway soon followed and Mayobridge never recovered.

SCORERS: BALLINDERRY - D Conway (0-3), E Muldoon (1-0), A McGuckin (0-2), C Gilligan (0-2), D Bateson (0-2), S Donnelly (0-1).

MAYOBRIDGE - G McMahon (1-2), B Coulter (0-3), M Walsh (0-2).

BALLINDERRY - M Conlon; K McGuckin, N McCusker, J Bell; P Wilson, R McGuckin, D Crozier; S Donnelly, E Muldoon; B McOscar, C Gilligan, D Conway; D Bateson, A McGuckin, G Cassidy. Subs: J Conway for B McOscar (49 mins), S McGeehan for Cassidy (59 mins).

MAYOBRIDGE - S Featherstone; D Tighe, B Grant, B Rodgers; M Barry, F Poland, N Sexton; D Rooney, E Woods; G McMahon, M Walsh, R Sexton; M Linden, B Coulter, A Barry. Subs: R Coulter for Barry (45 mins), R O'Hare for N Sexton (45 mins), P O'Hare for Linden (54 mins).

Referee - B Gorman (Armagh).