Carrickmore And Eskra Deserving Winners

Monday 29.08.2011

Club

The biggest crowd for a club championship game this season turned out in Pomeroy to witness what was the highlight of the opening round of the Power NI senior championship. Games between Errigal Ciaran and Carrickmore always attract huge attention and this one was no different. There have been some memorable games between these two sides over the years and with two former county colleaagues managing and all the links within the two clubs there was a lot at stake when the teams took to the pitch. The final result will show that Carrickmore enjoyed a narrow one point win over their great rivals but the score line is somewhat flattering to Errigal.

Carrickmore had much better shape to their game, had greater physicality and possessed a much greater scoring threat. Midfielders Conor Gormley and Colm Mc Gurk provided their team with a platform for attack through their combative, physical approach but they also contributed handsomely on the scoreboard. Defensively the winners were solid throughout with Ciaran Mc Aleer imperious as they afforded Errigal few clear cut scoring opportunities. Having said that they allowed the tireless Ciaran Mc Ginley to break through very late in the game and the Errigal man will probably be regretting his decision to pass the ball during that last attack as the chance to salvage something from the game was lost.

Overall it was the closest, most hard fought match of the weekend that kept the large crowd entertained throughout ensuring that nobody left before the game was over. Ciaran Mc Bride’s Carrickmore were deserving winners and will now enter the quarter finals as even hotter favourites for the title. However they will be mindful of the fact that their next round opponents Clonoe defeated them in the county semi final back in 2008 so they know they are in for another battle when they face the O’Rahilly’s. Indeed the quarter final draw has thrown up some really intriguing ties which are sure to attract lots of interest among the GAA public within Tyrone.

The curtain raiser to the Carrickmore/Errigal game saw Eskra comfortably defeat Newtownstewart in the Intermediate Championship. Newtown must now turn their attention to trying to avoid relegation from the league while Eskra can focus on a very winnable quarter final game against Loughmacrory. While Eskra’s win was a real team effort the performance of half forward Peter Hughes was exceptional as he lit up the afternoon with a virtuoso display of scoring from play in what was an outstanding individual showing.