Eglish Through To Minor Final

Tuesday 20.08.2019

Club

Eglish are through to the County Minor Final after a superb team performance saw off pre match favourites Carrickmore on a score of 4-12 to 2-8. While the winners had many fine individual displays this was a real team performance with every player contributing to the cause.

The boys in black played with the aid of the breeze in the first half and made a decent start to lead 1-4 to 0-1 after eleven minutes. Ryan Bradley opened the scoring before Daniel Fullerton levelled for Carrickmore. Luke Donnelly sent over three fine points before wing half Simon Mc Gurk got on the end of an excellent team move to finish to the net.

Carrickmore responded positively with a fine goal from Tiarnan Mc Garrity and a point following a strong run and finish from midfielder Paddy Mc Callan. Luke Donnelly added a brace of points for Eglish but Mc Callan drove through the middle once more and finished to the net to leave a single score between the teams.

With half time approaching Daniel Fullerton pointed to bring Carrickmore level. Just when it seemed the team’s would go in at the break tied, up stepped Donnelly once again to edge Eglish a point in front at the break 1-7 to 2-3.

Mattie Mc Gleenan’s team knew they faced a huge challenge in the second half facing a difficult opponent and playing into the strong breeze. Goalkeeper Caolan Muldoon injured himself just before the break and had to be replaced. Centre half back Stephen Muldoon went into goals and was outstanding between the sticks. He made several top class saves when Carrickmore were in the ascendancy. His distribution and kicking kept his team in the game at key moments.

Eglish made the perfect start with a goal from Luke Donnelly after two minutes and from then until the end they were outstanding. They fought for every ball, made massive blocks, cleared several off the line and forced numerous turnovers at crucial times in the game.

Carrickmore enjoyed loads of possession and territory all through the second half but they failed to make it pay. Sean Barrett, Ciaran Begley, Jack Muldoon, Ryan Donnelly, Caolan Donaghy and Stephen Muldoon denied them time after time. Midfielders Michael Mc Gleenan and Ryan Bradley worked their socks off to keep their team on the front foot and in the lead.

Luke Donnelly and PJ Daly added points for Eglish but Carrickmore at times laid siege on the Eglish goal only to see chances go wide or intercepted at vital moments. Eglish were hanging on as points from Fullerton (2), Jarlath Slane and Tiarnan Mc Garrity drew the teams closer.

With Carrickmore pushing for scores they left spaces at the back and with four minutes left on the clock the favourites were caught on the counter attack as Enda Donnelly finished to the net to put Eglish 3-10 to 2-7 ahead.

Midfielder Paddy Mc Callan, who was outstanding for Carrickmore all evening, reduced the gap with a terrific score but Eglish responded with a nerve settling score from full forward Donnelly. Eglish caught Carrickmore out again in injury time when Dean Muldoon converted a last minute penalty to seal the win before Jack Muldoon rounded off the scoring to leave it 4-12 to 2-8 in favour of Eglish.

This win sends Matt Mc Gleenan’s side into the county final where they will face Cappagh. The Killyclogher based outfit are through after a convincing win over Ardboe in their semi final at Kildress. The Rossas hit 1-4 with Owen Devlin (3), Eunan O’Neill (1) and Cormac Devlin (1-0) getting their scores. Mark Hayes bagged a brace of goals for Cappagh while Patrick Corcoran, Brendan Quinn and Oran Toal also hit the net. The point scorers were Joe Mc Gurk (3), Caolan O’Hagan (2) and John Rafferty.

A word of praise for the Errigal club that hosted the semi final on Monday evening. Their facilities as always were superb and helped contribute to a great game of football.