Entertaining Double Header At Killyclogher

Saturday 14.09.2024

Championship Football

The Junior championship double header at Killyclogher on Saturday afternoon resulted in wins for Glenelly over Errigal Thirds and Strabane over Tattyreagh.

Glenelly opened up a substantial 0-11 to 0-1 lead at the break with Garrett O’Neill, Lorcan Mc Cullagh, Aodhan Mc Connell, Rory Kennedy, Ronan O’Kane and Thomas Coyle all on target.

Errigal were much more competitive after the break with scores from Davy Harte and a goal from Shane Donaghy to narrow the gap. However Glenelly kept them at arms’ length and cruised to a 0-15 to 1-4 win.

The second game at Killyclogher between Tattyreagh and Strabane was one of the best junior championship matches of the year. Both teams served up some exceptional football and the outcome hung in the balance right up until the final moments.

Johnny Harkin , who was a colossus all afternoon, opened the scoring for the Tatts before Strabane hit four in a row with Haydn Mc Namee, Oran Mc Grath and Gavin Molloy on target. The game remained close and highly competitive with both sides enjoying periods of dominance. The tackling and the pace was at times ferocious and in spite of playing with the aid of a strong breeze Strabane reached the break only two in front 0-8 to 0-6.

With Johnny Harkin leading the line the Tatts began the second half on the front foot. Harkin hit four points inside the first ten minutes of the second half. Haydn Mc Namee and man of the match Kelvin Nelson fired over points to keep their noses in front. Keely Mc Donagh levelled the scores at 0-11 apiece before Strabane finished strongly with points from Ruairi White and a colossal free from Oran Mc Grath to book their place in the semi final on a final score of 0-13 to 0-11.