Errigal's Ulster Club headache

Kilcoo captain Gary McAvoy celebrates with the cup. Down County Senior Football Championship Final

ERRIGAL Ciaran announced their return to the Ulster Club Championship in style yesterday with a 4-15 to 1-7 win against Mullahoran at Kingspan Breffni Park.

However, after a six year hiatus away from the competition, the Tyrone side’s hopes of returning to the provincial final have been dealt a blow before they even play their quarter-final as it appears that they may have management troubles.

The problem has arisen after Ballinderry’s win in the Derry senior championship final against Slaughtneil, as it earns them a place against Errigal in the quarter-finals of the competition. However, because Errigal manager Ronan McGuckin is a Ballinderry native, he is unlikely to play any part in the quarter-final game.

In the run up to the Derry final, there were doubts that McGuckin would manage against his own team if the Tyrone champions had to play the Shamrocks in the quarter-finals.

That is exactly what happened as Errigal Ciaran and Ballinderry are due to meet on November 4.

In yesterday’s first-round Ulster Club clash, Errigal Ciaran had no difficulty in seeing off Cavan champions Mullahoran.

Errigal led 2-7 to 1-3 at half time after Damien McDermott and Peter Harte had hit the net. Mullahoran were dealt a blow when World Handball champion Paul Brady was sent off for striking. In the second half, Brian Horisk and Tomas Canavan added further goals for the Tyrone team.

The Derry Championship final was a much closer affair, though the game will be remembered for the outstanding performance from Enda Muldoon who was simply brilliant. It was his inspirational pass that picked out Collie Devlin, who sidestepped the goalkeeper and slotted the ball home for the only goal of the match.

The Shamrocks led by 1-6 to 0-5 at half time, and depute having Raymond Wilkinson sent off during the second half, they held on for a thrilling win, which was also their first back-to-back of titles since 2002, when they went on to win the All-Ireland title.

In the other senior county final played yesterday, Kilcoo defeated Mayobridge 2-8 to 1-8. Conor Laverty gave Kilcoo the perfect start when he netted in the first minute, and his team went on to lead 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time. Mayobridge worked hard to catch Kilcoo during the second half but the O’Rahilly’s held them off.

Glenties beat Four Master 0-9 to 0-6 to set up a county final with St Eunan’s who saw off Dungloe 3-6 to 1-6 in their semi-final.