Ballinderry blow away Gaels

Darren Conway celebrates his first half goal

Ballinderry 2-12 2-4 Cavan Gaels

Ballinderry finally found their Derry championship form to hand out a comprehensive beating to Cavan Gaels in the AIB Ulster Club Football Semi-Final at Clones.

The Derry side had struggled in the Ulster first round against St Galls, eventually needing a replay to subdue the Belfast side.

However, it was a different Ballinderry outfit against Cavan Gaels.

Right from the start, the Shamrocks looked sharp with Conleth Gilligan knocking over his team's opening score in the first minute.

Gilligan went on to produce a man of the match performance even though Darren Conway top-scored for the winners with 2-2.

Cavan Gaels' chances weren't helped by the 26th minute dismissal of centre half-back Eamon Reilly.

Conleth Gilligan attempts a break

The defender appeared to elbow Darren Conway and the referee, after consulting with a linesman, handed Reilly a straight red-card.

By that stage of the match, Ballinderry were already in control at 0-6 to 0-1.

With admirable team play, six different players had notched Ballinderry's scores up to then with Barry McOscar's 16th minute point probably the pick of the bunch.

Indeed, Gerard Cassidy should have scored a goal in the 20th minute when he was faced with an open goal after rounding the Cavan goalkeeper.

However, instead of blasting to the net Cassidy lobbed gently towards the goal and Shane McGlade got back to stop the tame shot.

Conway hit the first of his two goals a minute before half-time to effectively kill off the Gaels challenge.

Gilligan's ball over the top released Conway and the forward brilliantly half-volleyed to the net.

Worthy winners

The first of Paul O'Donnell's two goals three minutes into the second half gave Cavan Gaels a glimmer of hope.

But within five minutes, Conway put Ballinderry nine points clear again thanks to his second goal of the match.

With Ballinderry assured of victory, the match lost some of its lustre in the closing stages.

Paul O'Donnell did hit his second goal four minutes from time to leave eight points between the teams but Ballinderry were worthy winners.

Cassidy finished with a personal haul of six points.