Eire Óg Exit Hurling Championship

Sunday 03.11.2024

Hurling

Eire Óg Carrickmore and Carey Faughs served up a real cracker of a game  in the quarter final of the Ulster Intermediate Hurling Quarter final on Sunday afternoon at Páirc Colmcille.

The two teams could not be separated all afternoon and the contest unsurprisingly went to extra time but even then they remained tied and inseparable. As a result it took penalties to finally get a result with the Antrim side coming out on top on a scoreline of 3-2.

This was as good a game of club hurling as we have seen played in Tyrone as two really good teams went at it from the start. Both teams had periods of control and hugely impressive individual displays. The Faughs half back line of Michael Mc Veigh, James Black and Conall Mc Glynn were superb throughout as they repelled numerous Eire Óg attacks while at the same time supporting the attack at every opportunity. Eire Óg had their own share of fine performers with Dean Rafferty, Bryan Mc Gurk, Aidan Woods, Cormac Munroe and Dermot Begley outstanding throughout.

A twentieth minute goal by Conleith Mc Kinley put the Faughs in pole position in the first half but a few converted frees from Aidy Kelly helped get Eire Óg back in the contest and by half time there was only one between them with the visitors leading 1-6 to 0-8.

The second half began as the first had ended. It was close, competitive and tough as both teams battled for every ball. A Conor Grogan point tied the scores five minutes in and from then until the end there was never more than two between the teams.

Another Grogan point deep in added time put the home side ahead but there was still time for more drama as Mc Kinley tied the game again with virtually the last play of the afternoon.

Eire Óg hit the front with points from Seamus Sweeney and Aidy Kelly before a well crafted score from Conall Mc Glynn reduced the gap to a single point. The same player plundered a goal early in the second half of extra time and suddenly Faughs led by two with two minutes left. Eire Óg dug deep and further points from Justy Kelly and Aidan Kelly put their side one in front with seconds left.

However with the large crowd of travelling support cheering them on Carey Faughs went for broke and James Mc Couaig salvaged a draw with a last gasp point just before the final whistle.

The dreaded penalty shoot out was required and both goalkeepers were required to display their talent.

Unfortunately for the Tyrone champions and with the light fading rapidly the Antrim side pipped Eire Óg to make it through to the last four.