Loch See Off Clarkes Challlenge In Replay

Thursday 10.09.2026

Championship Football

County champions Loughmacrory made no mistake second time of asking, when they proved superior to Dungannon in Healy Park on Thursday evening.

Cathal and Gareth Donaghy combined for the opening three points inside the initial six minutes, as Loughmacrory hit the ground running and maintained the tempo. Dungannon were struggling but received a real lifeline when a Patrick McKearney through ball found Leo Hughes and showing serious composure, he fired past Oisin O’Kane in the 11th minute.

Loughmacrory’s response was immediate and Gareth Donaghy had his side back in front. Cathal Donaghy won the restart and kick over and a third point in as many minutes from Eoin McElholm cancelled out the major. Gareth emulated his brother Cathal with his third from play as the champions moved through the gears. Ruairi McCullagh’s point meant five in a row and eight points all from play with nineteen minutes played. Paul Donaghy converted a free after James Morgan had been fouled.

Ciaran Barker picked up a black card and a few yellows were shown by referee Sean Hurson to calm things as tempers frayed.

A Ruairi McCullagh two point free extended the lead, with Matthew Quinn hitting back with an advanced mark but Go Man of the match Cathal Donaghy had the final say with a point. Loughmacrory leading 0-11 1-2, at the break.

Mc Cullagh was on target on the resumption, Oisin O’Kane was called upon to parry Matthew Quinn’s shot but a fifth point from McCullagh and a Dara Curran point stretched the advantage within five minutes of the half.

Dungannon were trying for goals to bring them back into it, but Patrick McKearney saw his shot well blocked by Antoin Fox.

The final quarter saw Patrick Molloy produce excellent saves to deny a shot from Eoin McElholm and in the subsequent attack pushed a flick from Cathaoir Gallagher around the post. Oisin O’Kane converting the 45. McElholm and Gareth Donaghy points emphasised their superiority and although Paul Donaghy, Patrick Quinn and Patrick McKearney were on target in the final ten minutes, Oisin O’Kane’s two point free confirmed victory for the loch lads

The only downside of the evening was an injury picked up by Arnoldas Macidulskas.The champions move into the quarter finals and a meeting with Omagh.