BALLINDERRY Shamrocks are still the minor football club kings of Ulster.
At wet, cold and windy Shaw’s Road in Belfast yesterday they retained the Green Gate Ulster MFC title with an impressive 2-7 to 1-4 victory over Tyrone champions Eglish St Patrick's.
In so doing they have equalled the feat of Donegal club Killybegs who had back to back wins in 1984 and '85.
The only other clubs to win the Jimmy McConville cup twice were another Derry side Loup in 1993 and 1995 and Armagh club Killeavy, champions in 1987 and 1992.
That the game took place at all was a credit to the St Paul's groundsman and the many club members who had the pitch in good condition despite the heavy rain.
But most credit must go to the 33 players who took part in the game… and referee Gerry McClory.
In a solid Ballinderry defence, keeper James Conway inspired confidence in those in front of him.
His handling, good clearances and nippy interceptions kept Eglish at bay and he must have been in close contention for the man of the match.
In a rock solid defence the fullback line of Vivien Bell, Paul McIvor, and Kevin McGuckin along with centre half-back Shane Mullan were all in dominant mood and no time more so than in the second half when they faced the elements.
Red-haired Jarlath Bell at midfield played himself to a standstill ably assisted by Niall McCusker. But it was in attack that Ballinderry held all the aces.
Ballinderry: J Conway, V Bell, P McIvor, K McGuckin, JP Brown, S Mullan, M Harney, N McCusker, J Bell, D McGeehan (0-1), K McCusker (0-1) capt, D Conway (1- 1), S Rocks, T Muldoon (1-0), C Gilligan (0-4)
Sub: D Campbell for Harney.
Eglish: Michael McCann, R Gillan, JP McGeogh, K Walsh, P Donnelly (0-1), B Donnelly, S Jordan, C McAnallen (0-1), C Martin, J McIntosh, Martin McCann (0-1), G Daly, Conor Jordan, R Fay, Ciaran Jordan (1-1)
Subs: J Ogle for G Daly; P Begley for R Fay.
Ref: Gerry McClory (St Teresa's).
IT'S time to take Marty Quinn's title chasers seriously, says former Solitude idol Pat McAllister.
The Reds' championship chase keeps on rolling after yesterday's impressive 2-0 victory over disappointing Coleraine at the Showground (Tim McCann and Barry O'Connor delivering the goals) and eases the pain of a 5-1 drubbing there back in September.
Dejected Coleraine skipper McAllister said: “What an impressive display. Cliftonville played with the fire and conviction of a team fighting to avoid relegation – yet here they are looking very like potential champions.
“They were in complete control and outclassed us in the second half.”
McAllister, 26 next month, left Solitude for Coleraine in a £32,500 deal two and a half years ago and usually revels in clashes with his old side.
Yesterday, he admits he had a real off day.
“My second-half performance was nothing short of a nightmare. I have no excuses,” he confessed.
Coleraine: Lamont, McKeever, McAuley, Aspinall, Gaston, Young, Shiels, McIvor, Yeo, McAllister, McCallion.
Subs: Jamieson, Clanachan for McIvor (74 mins), Rooney for Young (57 mins).
Cliftonville: Reece, Small, Flynn, Tabb, Davey, Sliney, T McCann, O'Connor, Tolan, M McCann, Donnelly. Subs: Douglas for T McCann (85 mins), McNamara for Donnelly (54 mins), McDonagh for Tolan (83 mins).
Referee: Mr Leslie Irvine (Limavady)
