Dual-star Brendan Rogers was to the fore at the Athletic Grounds this afternoon as reigning champions Slaughtneil sealed another Ulster club SHC final berth.

Michael McShane's side will defend their crown against Down's Ballycran next Sunday, 19 December after repeating the trick from the 2019 final, beating Dunloy 1-18 to 0-14. Rogers scored 1-5 from play, including 1-3 during a dominant third-quarter spell for the Robert Emmets.

Paul Shiels and Keelan Molloy fired Cuchulainn's into an early 0-0 to 0-2 lead - Slaughtneil eventually found their feet and seven points without reply saw them lead 0-9 to 0-3 after 25 minutes. The Antrim champions fought back to reduce the deficit to three at the break, 0-9 to 0-6.

Two Conal Cunning frees cut the gap even further at the start of the second-half but Slaughtneil found another gear, inspired by full-forward Rogers, they forged seven points clear by the second water-break, 1-14 to 0-10. Additional points from free-taker Cormac O'Doherty, Meehaul McGrath and substitute Jack Cassidy saw them home safely.

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