Errigal Into Semi

Saturday 21.09.2019

Championship Football

Errigal Ciaran 2-13 Omagh 1-10

Errigal Ciaran became the first team into this season’s LCC senior championship semi finals when they produced an impressive display to overcome Omagh in Loughmacrory on Saturday evening.

It was a contest that the Dunmoyle based men always seemed in control off with the platform for their victory being laid in the first half when they established a three point lead despite playing against a significant wind. In the second half they played some superb football in a fine around team display and no doubt they will be serious opponents for whoever they meet in the last four.

The Canavan cousins Darren and Darragh both split the posts inside the opening two minutes before a superb effort from out on the left wing from Conor O’Donnell got Omagh up and running. Darren Canavan was then denied a goal by Omagh keeper Niall McGinn before the St.Endas enjoyed a purple patch. O’Donnell equalised, this time with his left, and after Damian McGuigan had put them in front midfielder Conan Grugan weighed in with a beauty. Paudge McAnenly reduced the deficit before an outstanding effort with the outside of the boot from wing half back Padraig McGirr left it 0-4 apiece.

Darragh Canavan then gave Errigal a lead that they were never to loose with a well taken point with his left boot. In the 22nd minute the winners got in for a well constructed goal when a flowing move ended with McAnenly offloading to Peter Harte who gave keeper McGinn no chance with a thunderbolt to the top left hand corner of the net. Moments later Omagh almost replied with a goal of their own but Thomas Clarke was unlucky to see his shot strike the right hand post. Grugan then hit a brilliant brace from distance before Errigal Ciaran had the final say of the first half via substitute Eoin Kelly.

Within ten minutes of the second half the winners effectively put the game to bed. Defender Cormac Quinn pointed, Harte knocked over two frees, one of which was from 50m out, before Odhran Robinson surged through to blast low to the net in style. Omagh did hit back with a Hugh Gallagher goal but they were always fighting a losing battle against a well drilled Errigal side.

Harte knocked over a “45” before Ryan McBride and Ronan O’Neill replied for Omagh. Errigal though looked dangerous every time they came forward with Kelly and Harte [2] on target to keep their opponents at arms length. Grugan and O’Neill converted late Omagh frees but its Errigal Ciaran who booked their place in the semi finals.