Errigal And Derrytresk Must “Go” Again

Sunday 07.09.2025

Championship Football

Derrytresk 1-13 Errigal 3rds 0-16

A 64th minute equaliser into the breeze from Ryan Ward earned Errigal IIIs a second bite of the cherry against Derrytresk in Stewartstown.

A stiff breeze blew directly up the pitch from the roadside goals and it was Errigal who played with its assistance in the first half. A feature of the opening period was Errigal’s ability to kick two pointers as they landed five with Aaron Neill and Robert Harper both claiming a brace and Davy Harte claiming the other.

Derrytresk, who had comfortably defeated their opponents in an earlier league match, showed the benefit of their preliminary round win by hitting the ground running. The returning Niall Gavin had a brace of points in the first five minutes, but this was cancelled out by a Robert Harper two pointer. Pat Campbell put the Hill back in front before a sweet strike from Aaron Neill raised an orange flag.

Midway through the half and keeper Ronan McAnenly stopped a Fitzgerald shot, and Aaron Neill prevented the rebound hitting the net. Neill was back in action shortly after at the other end, with his shot from 50 metres splitting the posts. Caolan O’Donnell, who had replaced the injured Cathal O’Neill ten minutes earlier got on the scoresheet. But the experienced Davy Harte extended the lead to five with a two pointer. The lead became seven after Harper’s second two pointer, and by half time, the gap was eight. The general consensus being Errigal were probably a couple of points light.

Ronie O’Neill was introduced at the break and played a pivotal role around the middle, securing vital possession as Derrytresk set about reducing the arrears. Odhran Hughes kicked a free before a couple of points from Niall Gavin and a second O’Donnell point halved the lead. A 35th minute goal from James Canavan after the defence opened up, and he confidently smashed it to the net. The momentum remained with Derrytresk, and two further points from Niall Gavin levelled the match with twenty to go.

Caolan Corr had a goal chance as Derrytresk pushed forward but it was well saved. Once again Gavin was to the fore as his fisted point and free put Derrytresk back in front. Remarkably, Derrytresk didn’t register a two pointer in the contest and only scored a solitary Liam Slater point in the final quarter. Derrytresk being guilty of looking goals when points would have benefited them.

Errigal were also guilty of a few missed frees down the road. Niall McCartan did convert a 54th minute effort to leave the minimum between them. Slater’s points looked like it could be the insurance point but in a frantic four minutes of additional time, Conan Dorman made a diving block to stop Davy Harte’s shot. McCartan kicked a free but right at the death with no one looking to take the shot, Ryan Ward stepped forward to split the posts and earn his side a deserved replay.

Derrytresk Niall Gavin 0-8, James Canavan 1-0, Caolan O’Donnell 0-2, Odhran Hughes, Liam Slater and Patrick Campbell 0-1 each

Errigal Aaron Neill 0-4, Robert Harper 0-4, Davy Harte 0-3, Ryan Lynch 0-2, Niall McCartan 0-2, Ryan Ward 0-1