Carrickmore Complete Grade 1 U16 Double

Saturday 16.11.2024

Carrickmore 1-16 Eglish 1-14

Anybody who was fortunate enough to have been at Edendork on Saturday afternoon were treated to one of the games of the year as Carrickmore edged past Eglish after extra time to win the grade one U16 league title and in so doing complete the double at this level.

It was a contest that had all that is good about Gaelic football between two well drilled sides who gave it their all in pursuit of glory. Having won the championship title seven days earlier against the same opposition Carrickmore went into this game as favourites but it was a lot closer this time and indeed they required a last gasp Vincent Gormley point to force extra time. In extra time Eglish got their noses in front but Carrickmore rallied as they dug deep to win the silverware again.

Eglish started strongly to race into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead thanks to points from Matthew Daly (2), Joe Mackin and Rory O’Donnell. Carrickmore responded with points from Gormley and Ryan Donaghy before they took the lead when midfielder Micheal McCallan rose highest to flick a high ball to the net. Two O’Donnell frees saw the lead change hands again before Eglish keeper Ronan Donnelly made a fabulous save to deny Donaghy from the penalty spot. Team Captain Padraig Donaghy then had the final say of the half to leaver Carrickmore 1-5 to 0-7 in front.

Gormley and O’Donnell exchanged points on the restart as did Ryan Donaghy and O’Donnell before outstanding GHOST PIZZA man of the match Pheilim McCrory left two between the sides. Two frees from O’Donnell brought he sides level before points from play from Senan Donnelly and Mackin left Eglish two in front with six minutes left on the clock.  A Gormley free closed the gap before the same player forced extra time right at the end when he cut in from the left wing to fist the ball over the bar to leave it 1-10 to 0-13.

O’Donnell opened the scoring in extra time before Carrickmore keeper Conor McPhillips produced a crucial save to deny James Daly a goal. A Gormley free was followed by one from Ryan Donaghy before impressive midfielder Sean Donnelly hit a great score to leave Carrickmore 1-13 to 0-14 in front at halftime in extra time.

McCrory fisted the opening score of the second period of extra time to leave three between the sides but in the next attack of an enthralling contest Eglish were level when the livewire O’Donnell scored a goal. That proved to be Eglish’s last score of the game as Conal Loughran fisted Carrickmore back in front before a late Gormley free sealed it.