CLUB| Pomeroy Win, But Only Just!

Friday 26.08.2016

Club

The opening fixture in Friday night’s championship double header at Omagh served up a real clinker of a game that had absolutely everything before Pomeroy emerged 2-12 to 0-16 winners over a very unlucky Aghyaran side.

The border men will look back at this one and wonder just why and how they were so slow to start as they allowed the Plunketts to establish a 1-8 to 0-5 half time lead. With Frank Burns, Kieran Mc Geary and team captain Hugh Pat Mc Geary in superb form Pomeroy dominated the opening thirty minutes taking and creating several exquisite scores.

It has often been said that goals win matches and Pomeroy’s first half effort certainly played a significant role in their victory. Ollie Mc Creesh capitalised on a defensive slip to put his side six points up. Mc Creesh also scored one of several sublime points for the Plunketts while the Mc Gearys, Frank Burns and Justin Mc Caffrey all hit superb scores in what was an outstanding first thirty minutes from Mark Harte’s team.

Aghyaran had to stand up and be counted and they came out in the second half like a different team. They were quicker to the ball, stronger in the tackle and more committed in general play. Ronan Mc Hugh hit the opening two scores of the second period from open play to give his side hope before adding two more from placed balls.

The gap was now down to just two and Aghyaran had the bit between their teeth. Ronan Mc Namee, Paddy Mc Nulty, Cahir Moss and Cathal Browne drove their team forward and Pomeroy began to wilt. With Mc Hugh playing closer to the goal the border men looked a transformed team.

Pomeroy stopped the rot with a superb score from team captain Hugh Pat Mc Geary to ease them 1-9 to 0-11 in front before Mc Hugh landed two further points as Aghyaran hit the front for the first time in the second half.

Points from Sean Quinn and Mc Geary edged Pomeroy in front again before Aghyaran moved ahead with scores from Michael Anderson and Ronan Mc Namee. As the tension built Ryan Loughran levelled the game again and with time running out a draw seemed likely. However right at the death Frank Burns and Kevin Armstrong combined to create a goal chance which Chris Colhoun slammed to the net to put Pomeroy three clear.

It was heart breaking for Aghyaran who probably felt they deserved something from the game. Goalkeeper Benny Gallen did narrow the gap with a converted 45 deep in injury time but it was not enough to deny Pomeroy a place in the quarter finals on a final score of 2-12 to 0-16.