Glen ease past Slaughtneil in battle of Derry titans

Glen 1-12 Slaughtneil 0-07

Glen retained their Derry SFC club title with a comfortable victory over Slaughtneil in Celtic Park on Sunday.

Billed as a clash of Derry titans, the final proved an anti-climax as Glen took control from the first whistle and eased away from the 2020 champions with plenty to spare in a match that never quite caught fire.

Corner-back Cathal Mulholland's goal eight minutes from the end sealed the deal, but in truth Glen were in cruise control for long periods of a one-sided contest.

Twelve months on from the 1-13 to 0-07 victory that signalled their inaugural Derry senior title, the Watty Graham's began the rerun in no mood to relinquish their crown.

Cagey, cautious, tactical; the opening quarter was all of the above as both sides pulled men back behind the ball out of possession.

It didn't make for a thriller but it suited the reigning champions who controlled the tempo and the territory.

By the 21st minute, Glen had six different scorers while Slaughtneil's opening score didn't arrive until the 20th minute when Shane McGuigan sent over a free.

County star Conor Glass was the dominant figure in that quarter and it was his point that opened the scoring, but there was still nothing in it until the Slaughtneil kick faltered as Glen hit three points in as many minutes to take charge with Michael Warnock, and Alex and Jack Doherty all pointing.

Slaughtneil looked bereft of attacking ideas as Glen strolled to a fifth score through Ethan Doherty but it was all too easy for the champions.

Brendan Rogers looked the only man capable of carrying a Slaughtneil threat and it was his run forward that drew the foul from which his side finally hit the target via McGuigan's free. That his was side's opening score but