Pomeroy And Loughmacrory Through To Championship Quarter Finals

Saturday 13.09.2025

All County League

Loughmacrory 1-20 2-11 Killyclogher

A fantastic first-half performance of pace and accuracy saw Loughmacrory account for neighbours Killyclogher at Healy Park in the first round of the Connollys of Moy Tyrone Senior championship on Friday night.

Loughmacrory started with intent. Ruairi McCullagh set up Cathaoir Gallagher in the opening minute. McCullagh got on the scoresheet moments later with a delightful two pointer. At the other end, Oisin McCallan made a timely block to deny Mark Bradley. Bradley and Tiernan McCann both hit the target as the Killyclogher came right back into the contest. A classy Pauric Meenagh point after some excellent passing and a two point free from Meenagh stretched the lead to four and quick fire points from Eoin McElholm and GO man of the match Cathal Donaghy put Loughmacrory six clear by the end of the first quarter, as they assumed full control. First to the break ball and Oisin O’Kane’s booming kick out gave the Lough a serious platform. Arnold Macidulskas came up from the corner back to cooly split the posts, and only last ditch blocks from Jordan Barton prevented Eoin McElholm from hitting the net. Killyclogher’s solitary response was a Conall McCann fisted point. A quick solo and go allowed Bradley to kick his second with 21 minutes on the clock. Four minutes later, Lough got a deserved goal. Simon O’Neill denied McCullagh, but the rebound fell to Ronan Fox to prod home. Tiernan McCann kicked a two pointer in the following attack, but a McCullagh two point free after Jordan Barton had picked up a black card and further scores from Gallagher & McElholm left Killyclogher with a mountain to climb.

The introduction of Gavin Potter gave Killyclogher more impetus, and they kicked the opening three points of the half. Despite that they were also guilty of spurning a couple of goal chances. Gareth Donaghy was nearly in at the other end but drove high and over, and the lead stretched to eight.

With ten minutes remaining, Gavin Potter did hit the net redeeming himself for dragging his shot wide moments earlier. Mattie Howe hit the side netting as Killyclogher pressed forward while Enda Donaghy’s shot was kept out by defender Sean McCaul, as Loughmacrory responded. Four late points with both Macidulskas and Cathal Donaghy kicking their second. Rubber stamped Loughmacrory’s supremacy.

Dara Hayes goal was only a late consolation as Loughmacrory comfortably qualified for the last eight with ten different scorers on the night.

The support act at Healy Park on Friday night saw Pomeroy account for Gortin in the first round of the Connolly’s of Moy Senior Championship on a score line of 1-18 to 0-14.

With Frank Burns and Ronan Duffin in superb form the Plunketts dominated the first half to lead 0-13 to 0-5 at the break.

Looking like a side lacking in confidence Gortin spent most of the first half on the back foot as Pomeroy dominated the play and the scoreboard. Interestingly it was Gortin who opened the scoring with a Sean Og Mc Aleer point two minutes into the contest but from then until the break it was all Pomeroy. Points from Ryan Loughran, Hugh Namee, Ronan Duffin, Peter Rafferty, Frank Burns, Peter Mc Golderick, Kevin Armstrong and Lorcan Kilpatrick all but took the game away from Gortin. The half time score reading 0-13 to 0-5 in favour of Pomeroy. Gortin struggled for scores in the first half with their points coming from Sean Og Mc Aleer, Odhran Brolly, Ruairi Keenan, Fiachra  Mc Nulty and Liam Og Mossey.

Gortin were a much improved side after the break hitting five points without reply while missing one or two other chances as well. The longer the half went on the more Gortin grew in confidence as they chased down the `Pomeroy lead and when Liam Og Mossey pointed with six minutes remaining the gap was down to two.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Gortin. Sean Og Mc Aleer failed to convert a two point change and the energy and hunger of the first twenty minutes disappeared. A Peter Rafferty goal five minutes from the end finished the game as a contest and Pomeroy claimed victory and a place in the quarter finals on a score line of 1-18 to 0-14.