Dungannon Overcome Dromore in a Thriller

Sunday 01.10.2023

Championship Football

Connollys of Moy Tyrone SFC Quarter Final
Dungannon 2-12 Dromore 3-8

The Connollys of Moy Senior championship never fails to disappoint and that was certainly the case at Dunmoyle on Sunday afternoon as 2020 winners Dungannon edged past 2021 kingpins Dromore in a pulsating encounter, 2-12 to 3-8.

It was a contest that had everything in front of a bumper crowd in perfect conditions. For the second week running the St.Dympnas got off to a perfect start when points from Emmet O’Neill and Declan McNulty were followed by a clinically taken 8^th minute Niall Sludden goal.  A brace of frees from GO Power man of the match Paul Donaghy got the Clarkes up and running before Paddy Quinn landed a beauty from out on the right wing. Just prior to that score Dromore midfielder Sean McNabb saw his goal bound effort come back off the bar. Peter Teague and McNabb had late first half points to leave wind assisted Dromore leading 1-5 to 0-4 at the break.

Impressive wing half back Matthew Quinn narrowed the gap on the restart before Donaghy scored a breathtaking goal. Dromore keeper Mark McGale was well out the field and when the return pass didn’t reach him Paudie McNulty intercepted the ball before offloading to Donaghy who showed great vision and class to find the empty net from forty metres out. Quinn landed a superb point from play and Donaghy followed it up with a free to push them two clear.

At the end of the third quarter the lead changed hands when a sweeping move involving Ronan McNabb and Sean McNabb ended with right half back Emmet O’Neill firing to the net in style. Sludden then added a point as the momentum seemed to switch towards Dromore. Donaghy scored from a mark and Quinn bombed one over from distance to level matters before a blistering move involving James Quinn, Patrick Quinn and Ben Gormley saw the later square the ball for the inrushing Matthew Quinn to palm to the net in the 52^nd minute.

Dungannon move four clear but Dromore weren’t finished yet. Ronan McNabb pointed and when the next kick out went straight to him he raced through to fire to the net to level matters. Down to fourteen men Dungannon showed great character to fashion out one more chance and it was that man Donaghy who kicked a fabulous winner on his way to a personal haul of 1-6 to send the Clarkes through to a last four meeting with Trillick.