CLUB | Trillick Exit Ulster Club

Sunday 15.11.2015

Club

Trillick’s brave run in the 2015 Ulster Club Championship came to an end on Sunday afternoon at Brewster Park when they found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-9 to 2-7 score line.

Played in difficult conditions the Tyrone champions will look back on this one with a certain amount of regret especially considering two missed frees late in the game, both of which were very scorable.

Scotstown enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and chances in the first half but found Trillick’s tigerish workrate hard to cope with. Niall Donnelly opened the scoring for the Reds but three scores from the Monaghan men had them 0-3 to 0-1 in front midway through the opening period.

With seventeen minutes gone patient play from Trillick followed by an inch perfect pass from Mattie Donnelly created a goal scoring chance for Daniel Mc Donnell which the wing back converted with aplomb to put Trillick in front. Scotstown regained the lead two minutes later when the Trillick defence momentarily hesitated and Darren Hughes punched to the net.

The Monaghan champions then enjoyed a moment of good fortune when centre back Kieran Hughes received a yellow card following a challenge on Niall Donnelly which on another day may have resulted in a black. Trillick raised their game however and two super points from midfielder Eoin Gormley followed by a Lee Brennan free had the teams level once more.

Unfortunately for Trillick the concession of a soft free just before the break saw the Tyrone champions go in at half time one behind as Shane Carey’s conversion left the score 1-5 to 1-4 in Scotstown’s favour at the short whistle.

In spite of the weather and the difficult conditions both sides produced a superb second half which had plenty of excitement, quality and commitment. Scotstown full forward Darren Hughes hit 1-1 in the opening eight minutes to open up a five point gap between the sides. Trillick bounced back immediately with a splendid Niall Gormley goal followed by a wonderful point from Daire Gallagher. Suddenly the gap was down to one and Trillick appeared to have the momentum. The Reds pushed forward in search of an equalizer but were caught on the break conceding two points inside a minute.

Lesser teams might have buckled but Trillick once again dug deep with Mattie Donnelly, Ritchie Donnelly and Niall Donnelly driving them forward at every opportunity. Well-crafted scores from Ritchie Donnelly and Niall Gormley reduced the gap once more to a single point. With time runnng out Trillick continued to push hard for the equalising score but sadly came up short before a last minute converted free from goalkeeper Rory Beggan ensured that it would be Scotstown who would go through to an Ulster final meeting with Crossmaglen.

Final score: Trillick 2-7, Scotstown 2-9.