Loughgiel 2-13 Sleacht Néill 1-11

LOUGHGIEL claimed their first Ulster title since 2015 with a five-point victory over familiar foes Sleacht Néill in the tenth successive provincial final between the sides.

Two goals from Caitrin Dobbin and Roisin McCormack put the Loughgiel ladies six-points ahead inside the opening twenty minutes.

But Sleacht Néill battled back to reduce that margin to just one by the interval, thanks mostly to the scoring power of Tina Bradley.

The centre half forward fired over five frees and crucially netted just before the break to leave the half time score Loughgiel 2-5 Sleacht Néill 1-7.

A point from midfielder Cliona Mulholland levelled proceedings five minutes after the turnaround, but the Antrim champions soon restored their three-point lead.

McCormack lashed over a free, Loughgiel’s only score from the dead ball, while Anna Connolly and Annie Lynn also split the posts.

Another four from star player McCormack, who threatened to score every time she touched the ball, along with Christine Laverty’s first drove Loughgiel into a six-point advantage.

Some heroic defending from the Shamrocks back six halted the advancing Sleacht Néill attack as the Derry girls desperately searched for a goal.

Loughgiel held on strongly however and were deserving winners at the end of a thrilling contest.

Loughgiel Scorers: Roisin McCormack 1-6 (1f), Caitrin Dobbin 1-1, Amy Boyle 0-2, Annie Lynn 0-1, Anna Connolly 0-1, Una McNaughton 0-1, Christine Laverty 0-1

Sleacht Néill Scorers: Tina Bradley 1-6 (6f), Louise Dougan 0-2 (2f), Sinead Mellon 0-1, Cliona Mulholland 0-1, Cliodhna Ní Mhianáin 0-1