Derry champions St Colm’s, Ballinascreen produced a barnstorming display to cast aside the challenge of Father Murphy’s of London in their Ulster Junior Twinning final. Eamon Conway, with nine points, top scored for the home side who now proceed to a provincial semi-final in January.
Despite playing into a slight diagonal breeze, St Colm’s Ballinascreen ran in at half-time in much the better position. Eamon Conway was the star of the show firing points over at will, with Paul Cleary banging home the first half’s only goal.
A pacy Martin Bradley incisive run and point opened the scoring for Ballinascreen in the 5th minute.
Eamon Conway’s outrageous point doubled ‘Screen’s lead before Cleary thumped the ball into the top left hand corner of the Father Murphy net to hand his side an early 1-2 to no score lead.
The British champions, living off scraps, struggled to open up any real opportunities before Eoin O’Leary finally first moved their scoreboard in the 19th minute.
Eoin McCallion nailing an effort from an acute angle, and another from Conway left Ballinascreen 1-6 to 0-1 ahead, however.
A thunderous effort from pocket rocket Shane Griffith accounted for Father Murphy’s second point before further scores from James McDaid and Conway restored ‘Screen’s handsome advantage.
Michael Burke converted a difficult free on the cusp of half-time to leave Father Murphy’s 1-8 to 0-3 adrift at the interval.
Five unanswered points soon after the restart all but confirmed victory for the Derry champions.
The fight had been taken out of the exiles with only Burke, captain Thomas Foley and Eoin Power finding points apiece in the second half.
St Colm’s continued to work the scoreboard, even if only cruising after the break, with their semi-final provincial berth guaranteed.
Scorers: Ballinascreen: Eamon Conway 0-9 (6f), Paul Cleary 1-3, Eoin McCallion 0-2, Martin Bradley 0-2, Ruairi McWilliams 0-1, Noel Rafferty 0-1, James McDaid 0-1. Father Murphy’s: Michael Burke 0-2 (2f), Thomas Foley 0-1, Eoin O’Leary 0-1, Eoin Power 0-1, Shane Griffith 0-1
Ballinascreen: Aodhan McCallion, Niall Doyle, Jamie-Lee McGlade, Jack Conway, Cormac Gough, Philip McGlade, Ciaran Doyle, Aaron Kelly, Ruairi McWilliams, Paul Cleary, Eoin McCallion, Eamon Conway, Noel; Rafferty, Reece McSorley, Martin Bradley
Subs: James McDaid for A Kelly (3), Finbarr Murray for N Doyle (28), Conor Murtagh for R McSorley (48), Noel Rafferty for M Bradley (53), Caolan Connerty for N Rafferty (57)
Fr. Murphy’s: Christopher Weller, Seamus McMahon, Aaron Coughlan, Conor McAreavey, Aaron Roche, Sean Howlin, Thomas Foley, Eoin O’Leary, Leslie Coughlan, Aaron O’Gara, Alan Griffith, Michael Burke, John Kehoe, Michael O’Donoghue, Shane Griffith
Subs: Darragh O’Connor for L Coughlin (33), Stephen O’Neill for S McMahon (40), Mark Gethings for S Griffith (49)
Referee: Michael Connolly (Sligo)