Power NI Tyrone Junior Hurling Championship

Wednesday 22.08.2012

Club

Strabane Shamrock’s 2-17 Cappagh Gaels 0-5

Strabane Shamrock’s qualified for yet another Tyrone Junior Hurling Final, at Omagh on Saturday evening, when they disposed the spirited challenge from Cappagh Gaels.
Doubts about this fixture going ahead proved unfounded, as Cappagh fielded a team that caused Shamrock’s problems throughout the opening period, but as the contest progressed, the winners superior fitness, and accuracy in front of the posts eased them to a comfortable win that has set up another interesting decider against Naomh Colum Cille in two weeks time.
Ciaran O’Neill and Conor Gallagher commanded the defence with authority with Jason Patton delivering an impressive shift in the engine room posting five points in the process on a night a stunning Gerard Gilmore goal sealed an impressive victory for the North Tyrone men.
Cappagh can be proud of their performance and, they will know that with a little more effort and preparation, they have the makings of a decent team with a number of younger players making an impression. Kevin Cunningham produced another solid display alongside James Devlin and Aidan O’Neill, but a severe lack of fitness proved to be their undoing, as Shamrock’s pulled away in the second period.
Strabane enjoyed a deserving 0-7 to 0-2 lead, at the half way junction with Patton, Malachy Quigg, Mark Kane and Gilmore getting in on the scoring act in response to points from Devlin and Aidan O’Neill.
Cappagh continued to battle against the odds on the resumption with Fergal Meenagh pointing to augment further efforts from O’Neill and Devlin, but it was Shamrock’s who seized control. Full forward Gary McGettigan flicked a Conor Gallagher delivery to the back of Shaun McLaughlin’s net before Gilmore showed his undoubted potential with a sensational goal.
Having gathered possession on the 45 yard line the rising starlet meandered through a couple of challenges before rippling the net. Patton and Kane tagging on points as Strabane cantered over the line with the biggest cheer of the evening reserved for full back Ciaran O’Neill. O’Neill surging forward to score his first point in nearly a decade. Shamrock’s surrendered the silverware last year on an appeal from Dungannon, but there is every indication that they are intent on retaining the title following this dominant workmanlike display.