Slaughtneil Defeat Cushendall in Extra-Time After Titanic Struggle

Derry kingpins Slaughtneil have booked their place in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Club Championship semi-finals, courtesy of a dramatic extra-time victory over Cushendall of Antrim.

The sides were level at the end of normal time following a pulsating encounter at Healy Park, with Slaughtneil eventually prevailing by a scoreline of 1-22 to 2-14.

It was a ding-dong battle from the outset, with the sides trading scores throughout the opening half an hour. Cushendall, who were appearing in their first All-Ireland quarter-final since 2008, began brightly and raced into an early 1-3 to 0-2 lead thanks to a James McNaughton goal.

However, Slaughtneil, who have won the All-Ireland title on three occasions in the past six years, gradually began to exert their authority and hit back with a brace of goals from Shane McGuigan to lead by 2-5 to 1-7 at the break.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with neither side able to establish a decisive advantage. Cushendall were level on three occasions, but they could never find a way to go in front.

The game went into extra-time, and it was Slaughtneil who finally managed to break the deadlock. A point from Cormac O'Doherty in the second minute of extra-time was followed by a superb goal from substitute Brendan Rogers, and that ultimately proved to be the decisive score.

Cushendall battled valiantly to the end, but they could not find a way back into the game. Slaughtneil held on for a famous victory, and they will now face Wexford champions Rathnure in the semi-finals.