Mixed Fortunes For Tyrone Clubs In Ulster League.

Sunday 06.02.2011

Club

While many supporters were making their way to Celtic Park in Derry for the start of the 2011 National League, a small bunch of hardy souls followed their club sides as the Ulster League got underway. One of the biggest games of the day was the Tyrone derby between Trillick and Cookstown which saw the Reds emerge victorious on a scoreline of  1-10 t0 7 points. Trillick dominated from the off and with Philip Mc Gread and Mattie Donnelly in fine form they edged the first half to lead 0-6 to 0-2 at the short whistle. Cookstown mounted something of a second half comeback and driven on by scores from Martin Murray and Conor Mullen they narrowed the gap to two points ten minutes into the second half. But that was as good as it got for the home side as Trillick reasserted themselves and in spite of a Shane Gormley missed penalty, they finished the game the stronger. A second penalty award was converted by Eunan Mc Anespie and it was fitting that Philip Mc Gread wrapped the scoring up with the final point of the game.

Donaghmore also enjoyed their first day out under their new manager Adrian Cush with a hard fought but convincing 15-10 win against Armagh side Carrickcruppin. This game also saw the return to action of former county star Brian Robinson who had a fine game at centre half back for the Village team. Donaghmore trailed 6-2 in the first half but hit the last four points of the half to draw the game level at the break. Niall Mc Caul, Richard Hetherington, Pauric Gallagher and Aidan Donaghy were all on target for the home side.

Donaghmore hit a purple patch at the start of the second half sending over five unanswered points to open up a gap that Carrickcruppin could do little to close. Patrick Doherty(2), Richard Hetherington, Niall Mc Caul and Shane Mulgrew all scored as Donaghmore played some fine attacking football. Kelvin Hughes and Shane Mc Killion both starred for their side and the five point winning margin was the least they deserved.

Greencastle returned to action with an away trip to Tempo and in spite of a spirited display from Sean Teague’s side they were well beaten in the end 1-11 to 0-5. The Hoops were missing John and Cahir Mc Cullagh and the three Clarke brothers while county Under 21 player Sean Warnock only played thirty minutes for his side. Tempo were fitter and faster to the ball and had opened up a five point gap by half time leading 1-5 to three points with Shane Coyle (2) and Peter Teague scoring for Greencastle. The Tyrone side battled gamely in the second half but could do little to overturn the deficit they faced as Tempo added to their total. Shane Coyle and Marty Conway got late points for their team but Tempo were fully deserving of their nine point win.

Stewartstown travelled top Belfast to take on city side Ardoyne. The game was played at Mallusk Playing Fields and finished in a very convincing 1-21 to 1-10 victory for The Harps. Paul Dillon top scored for his side with 1-5 as the Tyrone team led 1-10 to 1-6 at half time. Other scorers for Stewartstown were Gareth Devlin with 0-5, Anton Coyle 0-4, Cathal Devlin 0-4 and points from Niall Dillon, Ed Laverty and Micky Devlin.

Loughmacrory defeated St Endas of Antrim by three points winning 1-10 to 1-7  at home in a game which showed considerable intensity throughout. The Tyrone side dominated the first half and led 1-6 to 0-3 at the break with Paul Donnelly top scoring with 1-1 for his team. The home side tired in the second half but held out to win a very competitive match 1-10 to 1-7. In addition to Donnelly other scorers for The Loch were Enda Ward 0-5 and a point each from Stevie Donaghy, Karl Logue, Sean O’Kane and John Gallagher.