Hunger A Great Sauce As Errigal Power To The Title!

Sunday 07.10.2012

Club

Errigal Ciaran’s greater hunger proved decisive on the day as their players produced a superb second half display to lift The O’Neill Cup this afternoon in Omagh and complete a nice double of Senior Men’s and Ladies Championship titles. Indeed the club enjoyed one of their best ever days having won the curtain raiser under sixteen championship final against Galbally earlier in the afternoon.
Their ability to boss the key areas of the field and make the maximum use of the chances they created ultimately decided the outcome of the game. Their defence was on top for long periods of the match rendering Dromore’s attack virtually toothless particularly in an insipid first half for the 2012 champions. The victors restricted their opponents to just two points in the opening thirty minutes before Niall Sludden sent over his team’s third point as the referee sounded the half time whistle.
Errigal were sharper and quicker to the ball all over the park and controlled the middle of the field. The longer the game went on the more Dromore struggled to make an impact in that vital area. Breakball was another key facet of the game which Errigal won when it was most needed. Davy and Peter Harte led by example while both Enda and Cormac Mc Ginley were inspirational throughout the whole game.
Up front chances and space were at a premium but Ronan Mac Rory, Tommy Canavan and Ciaran Mc Ginley all produced the goods when it was asked of them and sub Darren Canavan made a significant impact when he was sprung from the bench. Errigal won by five in the end which may flatter them somewhat but they were fully deserving winners and will now go forward to the Ulster club series in confident mood. Ronan Mc Guckin and his management team have done a fantastic job in delivering this championship. It is clear there is a great mutual respect among the players and the management set up and that was very much evident in the after match speeches and celebrations. They will enjoy the feeling of being county champions for the first time in six years but they will also be keen not to over celebrate with a preliminary round of the Ulster Club series just around the corner.