Replay Required For Clonoe And Errigal

Monday 23.09.2024

Championship Football

Outsiders Clonoe came within a whisker of creating one of the biggest shocks in recent Tyrone senior championship history as they held favourites Errigal Ciaran to a fully merited draw, under the lights at O’Neill Park, Dungannon.

Clonoe hadn’t read the script, as they hit the opening three scores, a Connor McAliskey free, a super McAliskey point from the sideline and Danny McNulty swinging one over from an acute angle.

It took Errigal 14 minutes to register, Peter Og McCartan opening their account and further scores Peter Harte, Odhran Robinson and Darragh Canavan edged the Dunmoyle men in front with twenty minutes gone after a particularly tight opening period.

The game’s first goal arrived in the 26th minute when a Ruairi Canavan pass reached Odhran Robinson, who powered through and finished to the net. Clonoe’s response was immediate. Declan McClure was hauled down, McAliskey sending the keeper the wrong way with the spot kick. A final McAliskey free left the game level 1-4 a piece at the break.

Errigal started the second half well and Odhran Robinson reacted quickest to flick the ball to the net when Ruairi Canavan’s free dropped short. Within 5 minutes the O’Rahillys were level when a rehearsed tactic of long diagonal balls into the square, saw Pascal McClure punch to the net.

Joe Oguz and Declan McClure swapped points at the end of the third quarter, but three points in as many minutes from Ciaran McGinley, Darragh Canavan and Ben McDonnell created a bit of daylight with twelve minutes remaining.

Clonoe’s reaction was to introduce fresh legs, with PJ Lavery and Ryan Quinn entering the fray. Darragh McAnenly produced a fine stop to deny Ronan Corey, McNulty pointing the resultant 45. Clonoe almost repeated the early play, as Layery’s delivery was flicked inches wide by McNulty. Ryan Quinn narrowed the gap to the minimum with 3 minutes remaining but Padraig McGirr, recently introduced kicked an important point for a subdued Errigal, but once again Clonoe came back. Daryl Magee. who was guilty of a bad miss from a free minutes earlier, made no mistake in the 60th minute and the comeback was complete when Ryan Quinn kicked a fine score, in the first of three added minutes. Clonoe pressed for the winner but Errigal stood firm.

The replay is scheduled for Saturday evening back in O’Neill Park, special mention must go to Shane Hughes who had a huge game once again in defence, Shane Coney and Connor McAliskey up front with the Go man of the match going to Errigal’s full forward Odhran Robinson scoring 2-1.