Dungannon Clarkes Lift Minor League Title.

Saturday 13.09.2014

Club

Dungannon Clarkes and Dromore served up a real cracker of a minor league final on Saturday at Garvaghey before the men from the east prevailed on a score-line of 3-7 to 1-11.

Played in splendid conditions and in front of a large and appreciative group of spectators both teams delivered a memorable battle that ebbed and flowed for the hour.

Dromore began well with midfielder Peter Teague and Declan Mc Nulty prominent early on. Teague bagged a ninth minute goal to put his side 1-1 to 0-1 in front but the young Clarkes settled to the task and with Patrick Molloy in impressive form in the middle of the park they began to find spaces in the Dromore defence.

Dungannon full forward Cainan Fox hit the net on sixteen minutes to close the gap to a single point. Dromore responded positively with points from Cahir Goodwin and Emmett Mc Nabb as they finished the half strongly to lead by four points at the break 1-6 to 1-2.

These sides had already served up two cracking and very close championship encounters this year with little between them. Saturday was no different and Dungannon produced a strong opening five minutes of the second half to move 2-4 to 1-6 in front. Aiden O’Brien found the net straight from the throw in while Molloy and Niall Muldoon scored points in a rapid start to the second half.

Both teams created chances but with strong defences the order of the day scores were hard to come by. Dromore hit three points between the thirty ninth and the forty sixth minutes from Mc Nulty, Andrew Mc Grath and Malachy Mc Laughlin to open up a two point lead. With the game moving into the final quarter the only thing that could be guaranteed was a close and exciting finish.

Lorcan Mallon finished a fine team move to punch a point for Dungannon on forty eight minutes. With the gap down to a single point the exchanges became even more competitive. The Clarkes levelled with a sublime piece of finishing from Daragh Raffery before they won a penalty which was converted by full forward Fox.

That score put Dungannon 3-6 to 1-9 in front with five minutes left. Dromore showed tremendous character and courage to reduce the gap to a single point with time running out. Substitute Tiernan Sludden created several chances for his team mates but the Dungannon defence remained resolute with Brian Mc Nulty and Gary Molloy outstanding at the back.

Dungannon held on to their lead and a final point from Rafferty ensured the win and the title went to the lads from O’Neill Park.