Errigal Are Kings Of Ulster For A 3rd Time

Sunday 08.12.2024

Errigal Ciaran 1-8 Kilcoo 0-10

Wing half back Peter Og McCartan proved to be the hero for Errigal Ciaran with a last gasp winner as they bridged a twenty two year gap at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Sunday afternoon to annex their third Ulster Club title at the expense of prematch favourites Kilcoo.

 

McCartan had the confidence to go for it from out on the right wing much to the delight of the larger Errigal Ciaran support in the 6000+ crowd. It was a game that was keenly contested from first whistle until last and with extra time looking a certainly the Tyrone champions did it, just as they have been doing throughout the County and Provincial championships. It was a game that was level on seven occasions throughout the seventy odd minutes and it was clear from the outset that it was going to take something special to decide and that’s what happened. Errigal Ciaran now play Kerry and Munster champions Dr.Crokes in the All Ireland semi final at the beginning of January.

 

Kilcoo wing half back Eugene Branagan opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute wit a fine effort rom distance but Errigal Ciaran responded three minutes later with the only goal of the game. Ruairi Canavan picked out his brother Darragh who went past a couple of challenges and he had one thing on his mind but he was tackled and went to ground but still had the presence of mind to fist the ball across the goalmouth for the inrushing Joe Oguz to palm the ball to the net. Kilcoo keeper Niall Kane closed the gap from a long range free before right half back Miceal Rooney levelled matters in the 12^th minute with a superb score in the 12^th minute.

 

Tommy Canavan and Rooney exchanged points before a free from the boot of Paul Devlin edged the Down champions in front. In the 24^th minute Errigal Ciaran had the ball in the net again via Tiarnan Colhoun but it was ruled out for a square ball infringement. Kilcoo centre half back Darryl Branagan then turned sharply to split the posts to put his side two ahead with five minutes to go to the break. Errigal Ciaran though dug deep to close the half strongly with Tommy Canavan knocking over a twenty metre free before Darragh Canavan weighed in with a quality effort from play to leave it all square at the interval.

 

The second half was two minutes old when Ruairi and Darragh Canavan combined for the latter to find defender Rio Quinn who coolly put his side back in front again. A few yellow cards were dished out and by the 41^st minute the lead had changed hands again after a Devlin free and a second score from play from defender Eugene Branagan. Three minutes later Kilcoo were dealt a blow when centre half back Darryl Branagan was straight red carded and moments later a Tommy Canavan free left it all to play for going into the final quarter, 1-5 to 0-8.

 

The Jonston brothers Ryan and Jerome then combined for Devlin to put Kilcoo back in front in the 49^th minute before both sides hit wides. This was a place that Errigal Ciaran have found themselves in on numerous occasions this season and in the 54^th minute up popped McCartan with an outstanding point with the outside of his boot. Sixty seconds later though Kilcoo had their noses back in front when strong work from full back Ryan McEvoy saw him place Anthony Morgan for a point. Errigal Ciaran though weren’t to be denied with Tommy Canavan sending over the equaliser with his third free before McCartan proved to be the match winner with that fabulous last gasp point.

 

Errigal Ciaran: Darragh McAnenly; Ciaran Quinn, Aidan McCrory, Cormac Quinn; Peter Og McCartan, Niall Kelly, Tiarnan Colhoun; Ben McDonnell, Joe Oguz; Tommy Canavan, Peter Harte, Ciaran McGinley; Odhran Robinson, Darragh Canavan, Ruairi Canavan. Subs: Mark Kavanagh for Ciaran Quinn, Padraig McGirr for Robinson, Ronan McRory for McGinley

 

Kilcoo: Niall Kane; Niall Branagan, Ceilum Doherty, Ryan McEvoy; Eugene Branagan, Darryl Branagan, Miceal Rooney; Aaron Morgan, Anthony Morgan; Callum Rogers, Ryan Johnston, Shealan Johnston; Jack Devlin, Jerome Johnston, Paul Devlin. Subs: Conor Laverty for Jack Devlin, Christopher Rooney for Jerome Johnston

 

 

Errigal Ciaran scorers: Tommy Canavan 0-3 (3f), Joe Oguz 1-0, Peter Og McCartan 0-2, Darragh Canavan 0-1, Ciaran Quinn 0-1, Peter Harte 0-1

 

Kilcoo scorers: Paul Devlin 0-3 (2f), Miceal Rooney 0-2, Eugene Branagan 0-2, Niall Kane 0-1 (1f), Darryl Branagan 0-1, Anthony Morgan 0-1

 

 

 

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)