Derrylaughan’s Ulster Club journey came to an end at Pairc Esler in Newry on Sunday afternoon when they lost by the minimum margin to Loughshore neighbours Ballinderry.

The Kevin Barrys weren’t at their best on a day when they only got one point from play. A goal from substitute Ciaran Gervin brought them level in the closing stages before Shea McCann landed the winner for the Derry champions.

James Donnelly and Niall O’Donnell exchanged points as did Tomas Carney and McCann to leave it 0-2 each at the end of the opening quarter. Ruairi Forbes and McCann edged Ballinderry two clear before Carney responded from a free. A brilliant brace from midfielder Ryan Bell within sixty seconds of each other left the Shamrocks 0-6 to 0-3 in front at the break.

Carney opened the second half scoring from a placed ball before Charlie Crozier cancelled that out with a free at the other end of the field. Ballinderry keeper Ben McKinless then registered from play with Donnelly converting a Derrylaughan free.

That free was the last score for seventeen minutes with both sides on top. Gareth McKinless stormed through the middle of the Derrylaughan defence but in a 3 on 1 situation with a goal on Conor Kennedy intercepted. Four minutes from time a brilliant 60m pass from Brian Kennedy caught Ballinderry out with their keeper up the field and Ciaran Gervin outpaced Bell to soccer style to the net to level matters. Two minutes later McCann got the winner with Derrylaughan finishing with fourteen men after Brian Kennedy was red carded.

Derrylaughan scorers: Tomas Carney 0-3 (3F), Ciaran Gervin 1-0, James Donnelly 0-2 (1F)

Ballinderry scorers: Shea McCann 0-3, Ryan Bell 0-2, Ruairi Forbes 0-1, Niall O’Donnell 0-1, Ben McKinless 0-1, Charlie Crozier 0-1 (F)

Referee: Conor Dourneen, Cavan