Late Late Show Sees Junior Title Won By Killeeshil

Sunday 13.10.2024

Championship

Tyrone championship is surely the gift that keeps on giving as Sunday’s Junior Final between Aghaloo and neighbours Killeeshil proved. With the game deep in injury time and Aghaloo three points ahead it appeared that the title was heading to the border town. What happened during the closing three minutes was as dramatic as it was unlikely. Killeeshil not only drew level but scored a free from wide on the left to take the title on a final score of 2-7 to 0-12.

Healy Park was in great shape for the Junior final and both sets of supporters really got behind their respective teams throughout. Right from the throw in the pace was frantic as the tackles flew in all over the park.

Ruairi Mc Glone opened the scoring with a fine point after three minutes. However Killeeshil dominated the remainder of the first quarter and hit four without reply courtesy of Packie Mc Mullan (2), Tomas Hoy and fullback Bernard O’Neill. Aghaloo found their feet and points from Oliver Sherry and Ruairi Mc Glone left one between them.

Killeeshil benefitted from a defensive slip by the Aghaloo keeper with twenty five minutes on the clock resulting in a goal for the hoops. However Aghaloo responded strongly with a brace of points from Tiernan Donnelly before Packy Mc Mullan rounded off the scoring to send the sides in at the break with Killeeshil leading 1-5 to 0-5.

Aghaloo came out for the second half in determined fashion and immediately had their opponents on the back foot. During that second half they outscored their opponents by seven points to one with Conor Mullan, Gary O’Gorman, Jody Mc Glone, Niall Henderson, James O’Hara and Niall Mc Elroy to move three clear.

However Killeeshil began to push forward in numbers and with the clock ticking towards the final whistle they were in danger of running out of time. A mistake in the Aghaloo defence caused a turnover deep in the Aghaloo rearguard and Micael O’Neill capitalised to finish it to the net and tie the game.

Aghaloo looked shell shocked but they dusted themselves down and went in search of a winner. Unfortunately for them they they lost possession high up the field and allowed Killeeshil to get forward. Lorcan Martin’s side won a free out wide on the right and with the result depending on the outcome Cormac Donaghy showed tremendous courage to step up and split the posts.

The full time whistle sounded and Killeeshil players and supporters celebrated a famous victory over their great rivals.