Championship Wins For Beragh And Derrytresk

Friday 16.09.2022

Championship Football

The LCC Championship double header in Omagh on Friday night finished close to eleven pm after the first game, CNG V Derrytresk in the Junior competition, went to extra time and then penalties to determine who would go through to the last eight. It took a well hit placed kick from Cathal O’Neill to finally decide the outcome and finish CNG’s season. The game ended CNG 0-17, Derrytresk 1-14 with Derrytresk winning on penalties 4-3.

The second game was less dramatic as Beragh hit the net twice inside the opening nine minutes of their Intermediate clash with Naomh Eoghan to open up a lead they would hold right to the final whistle. Naomh Eoghan played much better after the break creating quite a number of chances but profligacy cost them dearly in the end and Beragh were deserving winners. Final score Beragh 2-9, Naomh Eoghan 0-9.

There was little between CNG and Derrytresk in the first game as David Conway opened the scoring for the North Tyrone side on five minutes only to see Derrytresk respond with a brace of Niall Gavin points in the fifth and seventh minutes to take the lead. A Danny Ball converted free for CNG a minute later tied the game at 0-2 apiece.

Derrytresk, with Ronnie O’Neill prominent in the middle of the field,  then hit something of a purple patch scoring four in a row to lead 0-6 to 0-2. Cathal O’Neill, Niall Gavin, Pat Campbell and Eoin Mc Nally were the men on target for the Hill.

CNG were in danger of losing touch before a mini revival with points from Gareth Mc Dermott, Joe Ball and Danny Ball gave them hope but it was Derrytresk who finished the half three clear following scores from James Canavan and Odhran Hughes. Half-time score: Derrytresk 0-8, CNG 0-5.

The second half began with another Derrytresk point from the boot of Niall Gavin. CNG were struggling to make an impression or win primary possession although Shea Browne converted a twenty metre free to reduce the gap to three. Eoin Mc Nally then fired over a brace of points to leave it 0-11 to 0-6.

It was then that CNG decided to introduce veteran Stevie O’Neill and the recently crowned masters winner made his presence felt almost immediately with some sublime passing. CNG were suddenly re-energised and Gareth Mc Dermott (4) and Danny Ball pointed to tie the game and take it to extra time.

The first period of ten minutes saw both sides hit a point apiece but the second half was laced with excitement and quality scores. Shea Browne pointed to put CNG in front before a surging run and brilliant finish from Eoin Mc Nally followed by an Aidan Gavin point had Derrytresk three clear. CNG then produced their best football of the game with Joe Ball, Danny Ball and Conor Mc Aleer hitting late points to take the game to penalties.

It all came down to sudden death and with CNG seeing their fifth penalty saved before veteran attacker Cathal O’Neill converted his kick to seal the win and take Derrytresk through to the quarter finals.

Scorers: Derrytresk- Niall Gavin 0-4,  Eoin Mc Nally 1-3, Cathal O’Neill 0-1, Pat Campbell 0-1,  Odhran Hughes 0-2, James Canavan 0-1, Aidan Gavin 0-1,

CNG- David Conway 0-1, Danny Ball 0-3, Gareth Mc Dermott  0-5, Joe Ball 0-2, Daniel Houston 0-2,  Shea Browne 0-2, Conor Mc Aleer 0-1.

Naomh Eoghan opened the scoring with a long range point from goalkeeper Connor Traynor two minutes into their clash with Beragh but that was as good as it got for the men in green. Beragh seized the initiative and playing some excellent football raced into a 2-3 to 0-1 lead after eleven minutes. Cathal Owens opened the scoring before Niall Owens struck for his team’s first goal. Ben Mc Sorley banged over a point and this was followed by a goal and a point from star man Connor Owens as the Red Knights raced into a 2-3 to 0-1 lead.

Naomh Eoghan looked all at sea and although they added points from Connor Traynor, Eoin Devine and Turlough Mc Namee it was Beragh who finished the half on top with a point apiece from Martin Rodgers and Jack Campbell. Half time score: Beragh 2-5, Naomh Eoghan 0-4.

The second half began with a brace of Connor Owens points as Beragh continued to play some very controlled football. However they sat back somewhat on their lead and invited Naomh Eoghan on to them which could have cost them dearly. Naomh Eoghan upped the ante scoring five and restricting Beragh to only two further points. Kevin Gallagher, Piaras Mc Sorley, Benny Boyle and Eoin Devine landed points but a resolute defence ensured the goal they needed never came.

Connor Owens took his personal tally to 1-4 while Martin Rodgers completed the Beragh scoring to leave the result Beragh 2-9, Naomh Eoghan 0-9.

Scorers: Beragh- Connor Owens 1-4, Martin Rodgers 0-2 Niall Owens 1-0, Ben Mc Sorley 0-1, Cathal Owens 0-1, Jack Campbell 0-1.