DERRY champions Ballinderry are still firmly on course to retain their Greengate Ulster Club MFC title after another Christmas cracker in the semi-final yesterday in Belfast.
The Shamrocks beat off a stout challenge from Armagh lads Pearse Og to edge through to the decider, 1-8 to 0-6, at St Paul’s Complex, Shaw’s Road, Belfast.
Both teams were hit by injuries.
Pearse og star performer Barry Gordon was unable to start the game but did enter the action during the second half and contributed a point to his side’s stern challenge.
Ballinderry can thank a resolute full-back line of Vivian Bell, Paul McIvor and Kevin McGuckian for this victory
The trio were outstanding, with their continuous blocking of the ball a major feature of the play.
Indeed, the Pearse Og defence was also rock steady under pressure while their midfielder Declan McAuley did all he could to prevent defeat.
Darren McGeehin, at right half-forward, also had an excellent hour.
The game wasn’t decided until the last minute of the match when Shane Rocks, a dressing room replacement for the injured Cathal Cassidy, cracked home Ballinderry’s goal to put five points between the teams.
Even then Pearse Og fought back but time was against them. Ballinderry now face Clontibret or Eglish in the final.
A notable point from yesterday’s game was the superb refereeing of Gerry McClory who kept the game flowing and well under control.
Ballinderry scorers: S Rocks (1-1), D Conway (0-3), T Muldoon (0-1), J Bell (0- 1), C McCusker (0-1), C Gilligan (0-1).
Pearse Og: Declan McAuley (0-2), Darren McAuley (0-2), S Duffy (0-1), B Gordon (0-1).
Referee: G McClory (Antrim).
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DERRY City’s dismal run continued with this disappointing 1-0 defeat by Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
Felix Healy gave a debut in central midfield to Craig Taggart who was signed from Scottish club Stirling Albion on Christmas Eve.
Injuries forced Derry to include 16-year-olds Ciaran McGuinness and Paddy McLaughlin were both on the bench but in the end neither was required.
Bohs had most of the first half possession and had penalty claims turned down on two occasions when defender Sean Gallagher and Gary Beckett both appeared to have handled.
Ironically, the only goal of the game occurred during a period when Derry were looking at the most composed.
Former Millwall and Irish U21 striker Brendan Markey scored in the 54th after good approach work from veteran Derek Swan.
Bohemians: Henderson, Broughan, O'Driscoll, Mullen, Byrne, Swan, McGrath, P Hanrahan, Mooney, Lawlor, Markey.
Derry City: O'Dowd, R Coyle, Kelly, Curran, Gallagher, Semple, Taggart, E Doherty, Keddy, Hargan, Beckett
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DONAL Gallagher from Donaghmore won the Greencastle five-mile run yesterday in a time 25.52.
Seamus McAleer was second (27.27), with Mark Sweeney third (28.30).
In the women's race, Omagh's Hazel McCausland took the honours with a 33.56 run, with Olivia McCullough (Greencastle) and Mary McCrory (Omagh) finishing second and third respectively.
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THE following Tyrone U21 players are asked to be in Enniskillen on Tuesday 30 December for a match against Fermanagh.
Squad: Stephen Ferguson, Martin Early, Ciaran O'Hagan, Andrew Gillen (Brackaville), Brendan Early, Vivian Teague, J P Kane (Coalisland), Paul McGurk, Jim Eastwood (Cookstown), Kevin Cunningham, Barry Eccles (Omagh), Seamus Donaghy, Martin Cochran, Brian Meena (Killyclogher), Brian McGuckian, Justin Corr (Edendork), Conall Martin, Cormac McAnallen (Eglish), Colin McCullough (Dromore), Barry McElduff (Carrickmore), Ciaran Gourley (Rock), Duane McNally (Moortown), Brian McElroy (Clogher), Kevin Lynch (Aghyaran), Michael Rea (Derrytresk), Pascal McConnell (Newtownstewart), Stephen McCarron (Aghaloo), Cormac McGinley (Errigal Ciaran), Stephen O'Neill (Clan na Gael), Declan McCrossan (Owen Roes), Niall O'Neill (Clonoe), Michael Coleman (Ardboe).
