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Ballinderry v Loup - Senior Championship Final

Ballinderry stroll to victory

The Lough Shore ’local derby’ SFC final between near-neighbours Ballinderry and Loup in Celtic Park, Derry on Sunday last, 8th of October proved a disappointing spectacle for the 5,000-plus crowd who were expecting a well contested encounter between two talented sides. However, it wasn’t’ to be as the game will be remembered for its high count of frees over the hour – 50 in all – and some ill-tempered play from both sides.However, in the end, Ballinderry will still be delighted with their seven points win – 2-11 to 0-9 – and the fact they are back in the Ulster club championship again this season.
The Loup side had the advantage of the wind at their backs in the opening half, and after playing some good football they were still only three points ahead at the break 1-4 to 0-4 – the Ballinderry goal came in the fifth minute from Darren Conway.The opening minutes of the second-half saw both sides exchange points, and at this stage the crowd were settling down hoping for a competitive second-half.
Then the referee’s attention was called to an off the ball incident which left Ballinderry’s James Bateson on the ground. After some consultation with his umpires referee, J. J. Cleary from Castledawson red-carded the Loup defender, John Young – and from the resultant free ’man of the match’ Conleith Gilligan pointed.
Ballinderry were now in command, and they really settled the issue when in the 51st minute a mix-up in the Loup goalmouth allowed Darren Crozier in for the winners second goal.

This score seemed to knock the heart out of the Loup side, and in the closing minutes a succession of Ballinderry points saw them win the game convincingly by eight points.
As already stated a poor final overall, hardly a great advertisement for Derry senior club football. Ballinderry always looked the likely winners with Conleith Gilligan turning in a ’man of the match’ performance and finishing the game with a six points tally – five of them from frees. Gilligan really proved an inspirational captain of his side on the day.

Ballinderry – M. Conlon; 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, 0-5 frees, M. Harney 0-1; J. Bateson, Enda Muldoon, R. Wilkinson.
Subs – C. Devlin for M. Harney; K. ’Moss’ McGuckin for S. Donnelly; B. Conway 0-1 for P. Wilson; R. Devlin for J. Bateson; M. Muldoon for R. Wilkinson.

Loup – S. McGuckin; J. Young, P. O’Kane, J. Devlin; A. McAlynn, J. O’Kane, F. Devlin; Johnny McBride 0-1, J. O’Kane; B. McVey, P. McFlynn 0-1 from a free, G. Mallon 0-1; E. McQuillan 0-5, 4 frees, S. McFlynn 0-1 from a free, P. Young.
Subs – P. McVey for B. McVey; F. McVey for G. Mallon; C. McVey for P. O’Kane; K. Hegarty for F. McVey.
Referee – J. J. Cleary from Castledawson.