Slaughtneil were determined to win their first Ulster club SHC title for the late Thomas Cassidy, manager Michael McShane has admitted.

The Robert Emmet's became the first Derry club to land the Four Seasons Cup after overcoming favourites Loughgiel Shamrocks at the Athletic Grounds yesterday.

Club stalwart Cassidy, who passed away during the week, would have been proud of his sons Sean and Eanna who helped Slaughtneil to glory.

"There was just that wee bit of extra drive there today because we knew we wanted to do that for Thomas," McShane told the Irish News.

"We talked about how it would be the most fitting tribute to his memory if we were to come out on top and become Ulster champions, and the drive was to do that."

McShane felt Slaughtneil's fast start was key to them avoiding a third final loss since 2013.

"After 15 minutes, we had two points (in last year's final against Cushendall)," he recalled.

"Today we were determined that wasn't going to happen, we were going to start with a real whirlwind and we did that. That gave us a platform to drive on, but sometimes you have to lose before you win and last year we stood in the changing room with scenes of heartache and devastation and we just said to each other, there's only one thing you can guarantee - if you don't keep coming back, you're going to lose.

"We knew we were right up there with any team in Ulster, we were so close last year, and thank God it worked for us out there today."

 

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