Gaelic Games: Slaughtneil win a 13th-stright Derry hurling title

In the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship, Loughgiel dashed Dunloy’s double dreams as they came through in a thriller at Cushendall by the minimum, winning 3-21 to 2-23.

Nigel Elliott found the net for Dunloy after six minutes as they threatened to take a firm grip with Keelan Molloy in fine form, but Loughgiel stayed in touch with Dunloy holding a 1-13 to 0-12 lead at the interval.

With wind advantage for the second half, Loughgiel made a flying start with Dan McCloskey’s goal edging them ahead and McNaughton galloped through to crack home his side’s second goal in the 43rd minute. A third goal arrived soon after as Rian McMullan swept home the rebound with Loughgiel finding themselves clear.

However, Dunloy mounted a fightback with Conal Cunning making a huge impact on his return from a year-long injury and a Keelan Molloy goal tied it up in the 59th minute.

It seemed destined for extra-time, but Rian McMullan nailed the winner for Loughgiel.

They will meet St John’s in the final as the city side stunned defending champions Cushendall on Saturday, winning 1-26 to 1-22 after extra-time.

Fiontan Bradley helped wind-assisted Cushendall into a four-point lead at the half, but they were dealt a blow minutes into the second period as Neil McManus was shown a straight red after a coming together of players.

Aaron Bradley cracked home a goal for the Belfast club, but Cushendall rallied and aided by a Cormac Neeson goal, they built a six-point lead.

However, St John’s finished strong with man-of-the-match Conor Johnston floating over a late equaliser to send the game into extra-time with the sides locked at 1-18 apiece.

The Johnnies used the elements in the first period to open a four-point gap and although Cushendall got it down to two late on with Bradley bringing his tally for the day to 11, two late Shea Shannon frees sealed the deal for St John’s who booked their place in the final for the first time since 1994.