Glenelly Comeback Defeats Augher

Saturday 02.09.2023

Championship Football

The opening game of the Connolly’s of Moy Tyrone Junior Championship took place on Saturday afternoon at Tattyreagh resulting in a narrow comeback win for Glenelly. Augher were hugely impressive early on with Darragh Kavanagh in particular proving to be a great outlet for the south Tyrone side but Glenelly showed considerable character and resolve to pip them at the end.

Six Darragh Kavanagh points in the first half helped Augher to reach the break leading by four. Glenelly improved after the break with points from Ronan O’Kane, Jamie Mc Crory and Cormac Mc Bride but another brace of Kavanagh points and a superb finish by Raymond Mc Elroy put Augher 0-10 to 0-5 in front midway through the second half.

At that stage there looked like being only one winner but that was about to change. Points from Eoghan and Cormac Mc Connell gave Glenelly renewed hope and momentum swung very much in the direction of the north Tyrone side. Cormac Mc Bride and Darragh Kavanagh swapped scores to leave four between the teams with six minutes of normal time remaining. Cormac Mc Connell pointed to reduce the gap further before Garrett O’Neill turned the game on its head with a goal from a rebounded effort to tie the game.

Another Garrett O’Neill score saw Glenelly lead for the first time but Augher’s Aidan Mc Elroy tied the game again with less than three minutes remaining. However Diarmaid Mc Nulty’s side were on not to be denied and they finished with points from Garrett O’Neill, Eoghan Mc Connell and Ronan O’Kane to win 1-13 to 0-13 and make it into the first round proper of the championship. Waiting for them will be the not inconsiderable task of neighbours and rivals Clan Na nGael.