Carrickmore Lift Paul Mc Girr Trophy

Sunday 02.12.2018

Club

Carrickmore became the fifth Tyrone team to lift the coveted Paul Mc Girr Tournament Of Champions title when they defeated Derry champions Lavey in a superb final at Gardrum Park on Sunday afternoon.

Played in nonstop rain before a huge crowd this game lived up to its billing with both sides displaying great skill, commitment and passion.

Lavey settled quickly and Enda Downey bagged their opening point after two minutes. However two minutes later they found themselves behind when Daniel Fullerton won and converted a penalty to give his side the lead. Two superb points from man of the match Brian Conway put Carrickmore in a strong position but further points from Jamie Duggan, Matthew Downey and James Mc Gurk kept the Derry champions in touch.

Indeed they could have gone in leading at the break but for a fine save by Carrickmore goalkeeper Colm Eccles.

The opening thirty minutes contained many passages of fine play that belied the difficult conditions all helped by the expert refereeing of Match Official Martin Higgins.

The second half turned out to be even more exciting than the opening thirty minutes with Brian Conway, Lorcan Mc Garrity and Seamus Sweeney outstanding throughout for Carrickmore.

Daniel Fullerton made his presence felt with four fine points in the opening twelve minutes of the half while a speculative lob from Brian Conway midway through the period sailed all the way to the net having deceived the unfortunate Lavey keeper.

In an attempt to wrestle midfield control Lavey switched midfielder Enda Downey to full forward with Matthew Downey coming out to the middle. This move gave the Derry lads renewed hope and four unanswered points narrowed the gap to two points.

Momentum appeared to be moving in the direction of the Derry side but Carrickmore dug deep with Conway, Sweeney, James Donaghy and Mc Garrity winning vital ball. Tiernan Mc Garrity and Ryan Farrell swapped scores before Fullerton edged Carrickmore 2-10 to 1-11 in front with the Lavey goal also coming from the boot of Farrell.

As the game entered injury time Carrickmore extended their lead with a lovely point from Cahir Loughran and although James Mc Gurk narrowed the gap for Lavey with his second point of the game Carrickmore sealed the win when Fullerton lofted over his sixth point of the game.

Final score Carrickmore 2:12, Lavey 1-13.