Antoin McMullan: Had no chance with the well placed shot from Colm Cooper that hit the back of his net. Accurate with his kick-outs, often with little margin for error. 6
Francis McEldowney: Full of running, the Slaughtneil skipper picked up Gavin O’Shea and later PJ Lawlor and kept both scoreless. The vital tackle that stopped Gavin White in his tracks exemplified his performance. 7
Brendan Rodgers: Handed a man-marking role on Colm Cooper. The ‘Gooch’ struck for a goal but didn’t land another score from play. Tried to give the Derry men attacking impetus with a series of lung-busting runs from deep in his own half. 6
Karl McKaigue: He picked up Kerry star Kieran O’Leary and marked him out of the game. Also got forward when he could as Slaughtneil chased the game in the second half. 7
Paul McNeil: Had an engrossing battle with Daithi Casey and both had their moments. Casey managed three points, one from play, but McNeil stuck to his task. 6
Chrissy McKaigue: Switched to the influential Johnny Buckley after 10 minutes and was forced to concentrate on defence. Obviously identified as a dangermen by Dr Croke's, he hit an uncharacteristic wide in the second half when he cut in from the left. Tried hard but it wasn’t his day. 6
Keelan Feeney: Had his hands full with Brian Looney who struck for two points in the crucial spell just before half-time. Otherwise he put in a good shift for the side. 6
Patsy Bradley: Typically lion-hearted display from the experienced midfielder. Dropped back to cover defence when the Emmet’s probed for a way through the Croke’s defence. Left the field with a blood gushing from his mouth. He was patched up and thrown back in. 6
Padraig Cassidy: He had a terrific first half, covered acres of ground and pounced for Slaughtneil’s goal. But he reacted to some roughhouse tactics from Kieran O’Leary in injury-time, lashed out under the nose of the linesman and was sent off. 5
Shane McGuigan: Landed a first half point and might have had a shot on goal early in the second half, but his handling let him down at the vital moment and the chance was lost. 6
Paul Bradley: One free in the first half and two more in the second. Worked hard throughout but struggled to make an impact in the second half. 6
Meehaul McGrath: His best moment came early in the second half when his driving run punched a hole in the Croke’s defence. Pass asked too much of Shane McGuigan. 6
Christopher Bradley: Two first half points from play for ‘Sammy’ raised hopes of a Slaughtneil win but he couldn’t get on the ball in the second half when he had one scoring chance but sent it wide. 7
Se McGuigan: He was picked up by Michael Moloney and his movement and link-up play was good in the first half. Moved to midfield in the second after Cassidy’s red card. 6
Cormac O’Doherty: The lone full-forward played his part in Cassidy’s goal and was left in a heap after an off-the-ball tackle from John Payne who was voted man of the match. 6
Subs:
Brian Cassidy: Replaced O’Doherty after 48 minutes. Hit one wide, but couldn’t turn the tide as Slaughtneil chased the game. 5
Barry McGuigan: Conceded a free after an off-the-ball tug on Looney. Worked hard after he replaced Feeney. 5
Ronan Bradley: On for McGrath. Had a frustrating 10 minutes as he picked up Cooper who ran down the clock with Dr Croke’s ahead and the finishing line in sight. 5
Gerald Bradley: Operated in the forward line after replacing Se McGuigan bt couldn’t make an impact. 5
