Reduced Ulster League Schedule.

Sunday 27.02.2011

Club

It certainly was not the busiest weekend for Tyrone teams in the Ulster League with several of the games not taking place at all. Moortown, Eskra and Donaghmore all had their games postponed for a variety of reasons while Greencastle’s game was played on Tuesday night last under lights. Sean Teague’s side lost by a point to table toppers Tempo in a game that the home side really should have won. The teams had been level at six points each at half time and in spite of their best efforts, The St. Patrick’s failed to take advantage of the chances they had. Cahir Mc Cullagh top scored for his side with eight points, but it was the frailties in defence that will have caused Sean Teague most annoyance as Tempo made the most of their possession to win 1-11 to 1-10.

Loughmacrory made it three wins out of three games as they came from four points down with seven minutes left to beat Mc Cumhaills of Ballybofey by two points on a score line of 1-10 to 1-8. The game was played in a very competitive but sporting manner and the sides were level four apiece at the break. Enda Ward was top scorer on the day for the home side with five points but it was a real team performance from Loughmacrory that won it at the end. Gussy Mc Aleer, John Gallagher, Aarron Kelly, Pearse Gallagher and Niall Donaghy all played well but in the last ten minutes Kieran and Enda Ward worked very hard to bring their team back into the game. The goal from Niall Donaghy that brought the teams level was a super team goal and well deserved. Loughmacrory now travel to Newry on Tuesday night for their final group fixture against Darragh Cross knowing that a win will take them through to the knockout stages of the tournament.

Trillick lost out to Derry side Ballinderry at home. The home side got something of a lesson in the first half when they found themselves 2-2 to no score down after ten minutes. Two Niall Gormley points gave the Reds some hope but Ballinderry finished the half on top when Colin Devlin netted from the penalty spot. The half time score was Trillick 0-3, Ballinderry 3-5. In fairness to Trillick they made a real game of it in the second half as Eunan Mc Anespie netted right at the start and with Niall, Owen and Shane Gormley all in fine form they gave the Derry side a real fright. It could have been even closer had Niall Gormley not struck the post with a great chance midway through the second half. The final score on the day read Trillick 1-9, Ballinderry 3-7.

The old saying about goals winning games was certainly true in Madden today as the home side defeated Stewartstown 3-5 to twelve points. Two poorly conceded goals in a first half dominated by Stewartstown allowed Madden to be level at the break. The Harps also led late in the second half only to concede another poor defensive goal for Madden to steal it at the end. Scorers for Stewartstown were Paul Dillon and Gareth Devlin 0-5 each, Peter Armour 0-2.

Meanwhile a very youthful Cookstown side also fell victim to two late goals when they lost out to Ballyhaise in an entertaining game. The Fr. Rocks were short many of their first fifteen and Matthew Carberry top scored for the light blues with 0-3.

Ardboe took on Cavan side Killeshandra and enjoyed a convincing eight point win. The first half was fairly even and finished with Ardboe leading 4-3 at the short whistle. However a tenth minute Eugene Martin goal allowed The Rossas to open a gap and they never looked back. Gavin Wylie was in great form for the Loughshore side and struck over a couple of fine points but it was corner forward Nishy O’Neill who top scored with six points as his team romped home 1-12 to 1-4.