AIB Ulster Club Junior Football Championship Final

Rock 1-12 Blackhill 0-14 (AET)                              27/11/16

Blackhill’s bid for Ulster Club JFC glory fell just short in an exciting final against Rock in Newry on Sunday, with the Tyrone side winning a third title by the narrowest of margins after extra-time. Blackhill had the better of the first half, but changed ends just a point up after kicking six wides, and Rock were much improved after the restart, with Conor McCreesh and Aidan McGarrity helping them lead narrowly for long spells. Colin Woods, who hit five points from play, ended 18 scoreless minutes for Blackhill, who drew level deep into added time through a well-taken Dermot Daly free.

Blackhill were restored to 15 men for extra-time (having earlier lost Hugh Byrne to a second yellow card), but Rock took the initiative, with McGarrity scoring the only goal, which would ultimately prove decisive. A spirited Blackhill side refused to wilt as they closed to within the minimum, but there was to be no late reprieve this time and Rock became the first club to win this competition for a third time.

Rock: S Donaghy; N McWilliams, N Mullan, M McAleer; C McWilliams, S Mullan, R Crilly; D Carroll (0-2), E McWilliams; T Bloomer (Capt.), C Gourley, É Ward; Pádraig Ward, C McCreesh (0-5, 4f), A McGarrity (1-5, 0-3f).

Subs: A Girvan for É Ward (H-T), Peter Ward for N Mullan (black card, 52), É Ward for Pádraig Ward (55).

Extra-time subs: P O’Neill for S Mullan (inj., 6-9), P O’Neill for Carroll (19).

Blackhill: M Shevlin; R Courtney, D Courtney, T Courtney; J Daly (0-2), A Courtney (0-1), A Kenny (0-1); C Courtney, D Daly (0-2f); H Byrne (0-1), P Donnelly, M Geehan; T Geehan (0-1), D Woods (Capt.), C Woods (0-5).

Subs: P Murphy for M Geehan (inj., 30), A Burns (0-1) for D Woods (46), É Byrne for C Courtney (56), M Comiskey for Murphy (60).

Extra-time subs: S Courtney on, D Woods for Comiskey (H-T), T Forde for Kenny (black card, 12).

Referee: D Mullan (Derry).