Kilcoo beat Loughmacory to reach Ulster semi-final

Kilcoo will meet Erne Gaels in the Ulster semi-final after overcoming Loughmacrory at Healy Park

Kilcoo beat Loughmacrory 0-16 to 0-11 in torrid conditions at Healy Park to reach the semi-final of the Ulster Club football championship.

Five points from evergreen forward Paul Devlin, alongside a four-point burst in three second-half minutes, including a two-pointer from Shealan Johnston sent the Down club well on their way.

Kilcoo controlled the tempo of the game throughout, keeping the Tyrone champions scoreless for 19 first-half minutes, repeating the feat in the second half over 15 minutes.

The Down champions were appearing in the provincial arena for the 13th time in 14 years after beating Carryduff to make it seven county titles in a row, Loughmacory were appearing at this level for the first time after shocking Trillick to win their maiden Tyrone title.

This game made for better viewing for the men in black and white after they lost last year's Ulster decider at the hands of then Red Hand winners Errigal Ciaran after extra-time.

Martin Corey's side now advance to the last four where they will meet Erne Gaels on the weekend of 22-23 November, that's after the Fermanagh champions earlier disposed of the Cavan winners Kingscourt Stars after extra-time at Breffni Park.

Experience wins out in Omagh

Kilcoo hit the first score of the game through their midfielder Anthony Morgan, but Loughmacrory quickly replied with a two-pointer from Pauraic Meenagh, before Ruairi McCullagh added a free.

The Magpies responded emphatically with five unanswered scores, Paul Devlin landing a free before two quickfire points from Shealan Johnston.

Darryl Branagan and Ryan Johnston got in on the act before Meenagh replied with Loughmacrory's first score in 19 minutes.

Devlin traded a free with Cathaoir Gallagher as the Down winners went in leading 0-7 to 0-5 at the break, Kilcoo failing to reflect their clear superiority on the scoreboard.

Devlin landed a two pointer to kick off the second half before captain Darryl Branagan added his second to stretch the lead out to five.

Eoin McElholm who struggled to get into the game under the close attention of the opposition defenders registered his first score on 35 minutes, Meenagh from a free and another from Gallagher cut the gap back to three.

Just as the Tyrone champions looked to be getting back into the game, Kilcoo rattled off four more unanswered scores.

Shealan Johnston added an exceptional two point kick to re-establish his side's dominance.

Ceilum Doherty fisted over moments before Devlin had the chance to kill the game, Oisin O'Kane's kick-out running over the sideline, that was taken quickly by Callum Rogers, but Devlin with the goal at his mercy blasted over the top.

Loughmacory were intent on not going down without a fight, McElholm getting his side's first in 15 minutes before Gallagher and Gareth Donaghy pointed to put four between the sides heading into four minutes of additional time.

Sean Og McCusker added a late score for Kilcoo to rubber-stamp the victory and move his side one step closer to a return to the Ulster final.

Loughmacrory: Oisin O'Kane; Dara Curran, Nathan Kelly, Arnoldas Macidulskas; Shane Dobbs, Ronan Fox, Shea Conway; Aodhan Donaghy, Cathal Donaghy; Gareth Donaghy (0-1), Eoin McElholm (0-2), Cathaoir Gallagher (0-3 1f); Pauraic Meenagh (0-4 2f 1x2pt), Ruairi McCullagh (0-1 1f), Michael McNamee.

Subs: Enda Donaghy for R Fox (53), Ryan Grimley for P Meenagh (53)

Kilcoo: Niall Kane; Aaron Branagan, Ryan McEvoy, Niall Branagan; Miceal Rooney (0-1), Darryl Branagan (0-2), Callum Rogers; Aaron Morgan (0-1), Anthony Morgan; Ceilum Doherty (0-1), Ryan Johnston (0-1), Shealan Johnston (0-4 1x2pt); Paul Devlin (0-5 2f 1x2pt), Jerome Johnston, Eugene Branagan.

Subs: Jack Devlin for A Branagan (12), Sean Og McCusker (0-1) for J Johnston (42), Barra McEvoy for M Rooney (55)

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan)