Eglish Are County Minor Champions

Monday 31.08.2026

Club

Eglish 2-12 Carrickmore 0-16

After losing a few finals to Carrickmore in recent times at underage level it was Eglish’s turn to emerge with the silverware as they deservedly lifted the grade one minor championship title at O’Neill Park in Dungannon on Monday evening.

A large crowd was present at a brilliant venue and the two sides certainly didn’t disappoint as they served up a cracking encounter with the issue in doubt right up until the final whistle. Carrickmore Captain Ryan Donaghy opened the scoring with a superb effort with his left boot but the lively Rory O’Donnell quickly responded with a brace for Eglish either side of Carrickmore keeper Oisin McElhone denying Matthew F Daly a goal. Team Captain James Daly then ventured forward to make it 3-1 before Donaghy replied at the other end of the field this time with his right foot.

Midfielder Joe Mackin then landed an Eglish point but in the 17^th minute the sides were level after Vincent Gormley knocked over a free from outside the arc. The same player then edged his side in front for the first time with a superb effort from play from out on the left wing. GHOST PIZZA man of the match Matthew J Daly then charged through from midfield to fire over the equaliser before Carrickmore enjoyed a spell of dominance. Padraig Donaghy was getting through serious work around the middle of the field and his team profited with Phelim McCrory raising an orange flag and Finbar Donaghy and Ryan Donaghy both on target for a 0-10 to 0-5 lead. Eglish looked to be in trouble but the last score or two of the first half are always important and they got them through an O’Donnell free and an effort from play from Ronan Quinn to stay in contention.

Gormley and Matthew J Daly traded points on the restart before O’Donnell scored a fortunate goal when his shot for a point in the 34^th minute looped into the net to level matters. Gormley punished a breach by converting the resulting free but Eglish quickly restored parity again when Brian Og McGuckin turned sharply to split the posts. By the end of the third quarter Eglish were on top and points from McGuckin and O’Donnell gave them a 1-11 to 0-12 advantage.

Carrickmore though showed their mettle to hit back with Captain Donaghy getting his third of the night before substitute Joseph Hughes sent over the equaliser with eight minutes of normal time left to play. Carrickmore now looked to have the momentum but moments later the crucial score of the contest arrived when Conan McGuckin slipped the ball out for the inrushing Matthew F Daly to finish to the net. The game though was far from over with Gormley placing Brayden McNally for a chance to hit back immediately but his shot went across the goalmouth. Respective midfielders Michael McCallan and Matthew J Daly exchanged points and while Gormley had the final say to bring his personal haul to 0-7 he referee sounded the final whistle from the next kickout.