History Makers Loughmacrory

Saturday 18.10.2025

Championship Football

Loughmacrory 1-16 4-6 Carrickmore

Almost an hour after the full-time whistle, many of the large Loughmacrory support remained on the pitch, savouring their victory. Emotional scenes greeted the final whistle as Loughmacrory qualified for their first ever Tyrone Senior championship final. For Carrickmore, who more than played their part in two epic encounters, it was disappointment, but they will be first to admit their parish neighbours deserved the victory.

Another big crowd assembled in Healy Park, and although the first half saw Loughmacrory dominant in possession, they were wasteful in front of goal. Despite playing against the breeze, the winners led 1-4 1-3 at the interval. Both goals arriving in the opening seven minutes. The goals were also very similar as in the second minute, Cathaoir Gallagher fired home after Gareth Donaghy had hit the upright. Likewise, Aidan Woods found the net after the initial shot came back off the post.

Lorcan McGarrity levelled the game early in the second half, but Loughmacrory claimed five of the next six scores to stretch clear with twenty minutes remaining, two coming from Go Man of the match Cathaoir Gallagher.

Carrickmore needed a spark, and it arrived from a wonder strike from Lorcan McGarrity with 43 minutes on the clock. They almost went in front moments later, but the chance drifted wide.

Gareth Donaghy who was having a growing influence on proceedings got on the scoresheet before Eoin McElholm kicked a huge two pointer.

The lead remained at four inside the final six minutes when a lovely reverse pass from McGarrity set up Tiernan Loughran to drill home, and it was game on.

Gareth Donaghy’s third of the evening doubled the lead. Ruairi McCullagh had the opportunity to seal victory, but his penalty hit the post.

Unbelievable, the drama continued in the first of four added minutes, Teenager Tiernan Loughran held his nerve to convert a Carrickmore penalty, and they were in front.

Loughmacrory’s response was immediate. They worked the scoring chance and with nerves of steel Ruairi McCullagh split the posts from beyond the arc to restore the lead. Carrickmore pressed forward, but they couldn’t break down the Loughmacrory defence, and it’s the men from the Loch who will meet Trillick in the decider.