Owen Roes’ dreams of promotion were killed off on Sunday last as for the second year in a row they came up agonizingly short at the final hurdle in the divisional play offs. Last year Loughmacrory denied the Leckpatrick side a slot in Intermediate football with a two point victory. This year with margins identical it was Aghaloo who stepped off the division 2 relegation trapdoor as it swung open in a game where the Roes had enough about them to suggest that they’ll feel somewhat unlucky at the ending of their season.

Playing into a stiff breeze Owen Roes started brightly but struggled to adapt to the intensity of Aghaloo whose physicality and speed evident of a team at the higher level. At the other end the border men were more direct, and four scores in a four minute spell left Owen Roes reeling with the ageless Stephen Donnelly pinging over two lovely efforts.

The North Tyrone lads eventually got on the scoreboard on 11 minutes when Conor O’Neill made a good tackle and clipped the ball over the bar from a tight angle. Minutes later Cathal McShane popped over a free to settle into the game.

Nonetheless Aghaloo’s reply was clinical with the dangerous Niall McIlroy scoring twice in another four point burst to put clear daylight in the game again.

Back though came Owen Roes and great interplay between Tony Devine and McShane saw the latter rampage through to blast to the rigging. From the kick out Ronan McNulty’s foraging gave McShane another half chance that he sent curling between the sticks with the outside of the boot to reduce the gap to two.

Indeed Owen Roes could’ve gone ahead as McNulty cut inside but his drive curled agonizingly the wrong side of the post and wide.

Aghaloo tagged on an injury time score to leave themselves ahead 1-3 to 0-9 at the break.

Within seconds of the restart Aghaloo had a great goal chance but Brian McKenna scooped over when it looked like he was sure to bag a major. Donnelly added another free on 36 minutes but the division 3 side were starting to find their feet once more.

A cracking Conor O’Neill effort was added to by McShane a minute later with Sean Dooher the architect in deep field.

McIlroy grabbed his third of the game but a booming Brendan Boggs effort on 45 minutes cancelled that out immediately.

McShane and another classy Boggs score took Owen Roes to within one and with 7 minutes to go Tony Devine’s monster score tied the game up with Owen Roes dominant now in most sectors. Indeed Stephen Kelly had a great chance to add to the pressure but his goal bound effort beat the keeper but not the covering defender on the line.

With minutes to go Aghaloo got the break they needed. Owen Roes squandered possession in a dangerous area of the field allowing McIlroy to race through, round Andy Devine and goal. It was the get out of jail card that Aghaloo craved.

Down but not yet out back came Owen Roes, as late frees from Cathal McShane and Ryan McShane took them to within one point once more. However as Owen Roes piled forward Aghaloo broke once more and a late score in added time was enough to edge them over the line and leave Owen Roes heartbroken once more.

Owen Roes: Andy Devine, Sean Dooher, Aidan Christy, Gerard Devine, Sean McBride, Stephen Kelly, Brendan Boggs (0-2), Tony Devine (0-1), Cathal McShane (1-5), Charles O’Doherty, Ricki Devine, Ryan McAleer, Conor O’Neill (0-2), Seamus Dooher, Ronan McNulty. Subs: Michael Dooher for Ricki Devine (35 mins), Ronan Parker for Ronan McNulty (39 mins), Ryan McShane (0-1) for Conor O’Neill (53 mins).

The girls from the Monaghan border started bright and raced into a 1-2 to no score lead as they threatened to run away with things. Dearbhla O’Faoláin with a point before Megan Treanor found the net. It could’ve been worse for Owen Roes but Orla McNulty’s great save ensured that Cassie Rafferty’s effort went over the bar and not the back of the net.

The ladies of Owen Roes eventually troubled the scoreboard on 10 minutes as Taylor Conroy set up Shauna Devine for a score. With their tails up, Owen Roes struck for a goal as Orlagh Gormley’s cool first time finish gave Cairlin Crowe no chance in the Aghaloo goal.

Both defences were on top for large parts of the game with Cliodhna Quinn making a superb last gasp tackle to prevent another Aghaloo goal on 13 minutes a particular highlight.

Late in the half Aghaloo did manage to get past the Owen Roes rearguard with Riona Gildernew and Ciona Cassidy in range. Just before the break Owen Roes had a chance of another goal but Chloe McCafferty’s effort was well saved by Crowe.

The Leckpatrick ladies came out much more focused in the second half and within seconds Caoimhe Barr’s rasping drive nestled in the top corner of the Aghaloo goal. Barr was at it again seconds later as Joanna McShane and Aine Coyle combined to send Barr scampering through for a point.

Treanor replied for Aghaloo at the other end but it was all Owen Roes at this stage with sub Rosin McMenamin and Kirsty McFadden doing the spade work for Shauna Devine to point and within 10 minutes to go Barr added to the lead applying a finish to her driven run.

With 8 minutes remaining McMenamin’s pass allowed McFadden to stretch the lead to three as Owen Roes appeared to be heading towards the title.

Nonetheless back came Aghaloo as Treanor’s point effort was brilliantly blocked down by Conroy with McNulty also making a late save. However in added time Aghaloo had one last chance with a short free which Gildernew laced past a packed Owen Roes goaline to salvage a draw, with both sides having to go again.

Owen Roes: Orla McNulty, Niamh McDaid, Cliodhna Quinn, Taylor Conroy, Joanna McShane, Aine Coyle, Karen Hegarty, Caoimhe Barr (1-2), Kirstie McFadden (0-1), Shauna Devine (0-2), Caitlin Kelly, Orlagh Gormley (1-0), Chloe McCafferty.
Subs: Roisin McMenamin for Orlagh Gormley (HT), Ciara Gormley for Shauna Devine (45 mins), Cara McAleer, Emiear Doherty, Ellie Devine, Sarah Devine, Aine Melarkey, Rebecca McMenamin, Hollie McCarron, Ella McCarron.

Aghaloo: Caitlin Crow, Clodagh Kelly, Meghan Sherry, Shannon Crowe, Caelainn Cassidy, Aoife Kelly, Maddy McKee, Dervla O’Donnell, Cassie Rafferty (0-1), Mega Treanor (1-1), Dearbhla O’Faoláin (0-1), Riona Gildernew (1-1), Cliona Cassidy (0-1).