Coulter’s strike drives Setanta to glory

ULSTER CLUB JHC FINAL SETANTA won their first Ulster junior hurling title thanks to a high-octane win over Na Magha in Ballybofey yesterday.

The Donegal champions were toasting history, with Kevin Campbell and Declan Coulter accounting for 1-17 between them.

Na Magha came back from the dead twice, but Setanta kept their composure.

Setanta had lost Ulster JFC finals in 2007 and 2008 – and were keen to make a mark here.

Setanta burst from the blocks, driven on by the classy Danny Cullen at centre-field, and raced 1-9 to 0-3 ahead by the 20th minute.

The Setanta goal came when Coulter fed Bernard Lafferty, who smashed past Daryl Connolly midway through the half.

However, Diarmuid Shiels fired home after Brendan Quigley hit an upright and Na Magha were within three (1-10 to 1-7) at the break.

Alan Grant netted for Na Magha early in the second half, but when Coulter – a former Nicky Rackard All-Star with Armagh – cut a swathe through the Derry defence before blasting home a magnificent goal, Setanta could smell the title.

“He went for the throat and he bagged it to some tune,” manager Paul Campbell said of Coulter’s goal.

Deaglan Foley’s free made its way to the net, but Setanta weren’t going to be denied.

Both sides finished with 14 men as Paul Grant of Na Magha and Setanta defender James Callaghan were sent off following a scuff le.

SCORERS – Setanta: K Campbell 0-11f, D Coulter 1-6, B Lafferty 1-0. Na Magha: D Foley 1-7f, D Shiels 1-2, A Grant 1-0, C McGowan, B Douban 0-1 each.

SETANTA – G McGettigan; B Tourish, S McMenamin, M Callaghan; S Anderson, M Bonner, N Cleary; R Kee, D Cullen; B Lafferty, C Melaugh, M Kane; J McBride, D Coulter, K Campbell. Sub: J Callaghan for McMenamin (55).

NA MAGHA – D Connolly; A McBrearty, J McQuillan, M Temple; N McCallion, A Grant, M McShane; B Glass, D Shiels; T Rankin, B Quigley, D Foley; A O Donnell, R O’Donnell, B Douban. Subs: C McGowan for Temple (31), F McAnaney for O’Donnell (31).

REF – A Ferguson (Fermanagh)