Ballinascreen manager Gabriel O'Kane admits that he didn't expect as tough a match against senior newcomers Eoghan Rua.

Both sides produced an enthralling encounter that went right down to the wire as strong favourites Ballinascreen prevailed by a narrow two-point margin.

O'Kane told the County Derry Post that they did expect a tough match against the Coleraine outfit, but added that he didn't think it would be that close.

"It was tighter than I wanted it to be, absolutely," said O'Kane. "Conditions were terrible but they were the same for both teams. We expected a tough challenge from Eoghan Rua but we didn't expect it to be quite as tough, especially near the end.

"All credit to them, you can see the hurlers they have, the athletes they have and they brought a great intensity to the game. We struggled, but we eked out a victory and we're glad to get out of it. It's as simple as that." Tweet

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