Trillick and Coalisland Progress into Last Four

Sunday 22.09.2019

Championship Football

LCC Tyrone SFC Quarter Final
Trillick 2-11 Clonoe 1-9

LCC Tyrone SFC Quarter Final
Coalisland 2-14 Killyclogher 1-8

Trillick and holders Coalisland will play each other in the semi final of the LCC Senior championship after they overcame Clonoe and Killyclogher respectively in a double bill at Pomeroy on Sunday afternoon.

The O’Rahillys began well in the opening game with the impressive Danny McNulty landing their first three points. Richard Donnelly replied with a fine score but that was soon cancelled out by County colleague Connor McAliskey at the other end of the field with a quality effort as well. Donnelly and PJ Lavery traded points before Trillick moved in front thanks to three scores in a row from Rory Brennan, Lee Brennan and Daire Gallagher. It was Clonoe though who had the final say of the opening period with another fine effort from out on the right wing from McAliskey to leave it 0-6 apiece.

Five minutes into the second half the St.Macartans struck for a goal when a shot from defender Damian Kelly took a deflection on its way to the net. Mattie Donnelly tagged on a point with his left and it looked at that stage as though Trillick would perhaps pull away. Clonoe though had other ideas with McNulty pointing before the same player took a pass from Fintan McClure to blast to the roof of the net.

That left it 1-7 apiece before Trillick upped the tempo. Lee Brennan kicked three frees in a row before Mattie Donnelly hit an outstanding point from out on the left wing. Clonoe though stuck to the task at hand as Declan McClure and McNulty closed the gap to two with two minutes left to play. It was anybody’s game at that stage but in injury time teenager Liam Gray took a mark in midfield before releasing his brother Ryan who in turn offloaded to Niall Gormley and the latter finished in style to the top left hand corner of the net as it finished 2-11 to 1-9.

The second game at Plunkett Park was a repeat of last season’s final and champions Coalisland almost got off to the perfect start when Tiernan Quinn was denied by Oran Grimes in the Killyclogher goal. Simon O’Neill then blasted over the bar for Killyclogher before the same player knocked over a free. In the 12th minute Killyclogher moved 1-2 to 0-0 in front when Mark Bradley exchanged passes with Jordan Barton before offloading for Conall McCann to fire home.

Cathaoir Quinn then opened Coalisland’s account with a tremendous effort with the outside of his boot before the same player converted a 16th minute penalty after Peter Herron was fouled. A great run from Padraig Hampsey saw him level matters before Paddy McNiece pointed from a free as well as from play. Tiernan Quinn then left three between the sides before frees from Bradley and O’Neill reduced the deficit to the minimum. Cathaoir Quinn had the final say of the first half with a brilliant point to leave the Fianna 1-6 to 1-4 in front.

Defenders Michael McKernan and Martin Swift exchanged points on the restart before the winners enjoyed a purple patch to take control. Plunkett Kane, Brian Toner, McKernan and Herron were all on target as they moved six clear. Emmett McFadden and Toner traded points before Killyclogher closed the gap through Aidy Kelly and Bradley. The Fianna weren’t to be denied though with Tiernan Quinn firing in a late goal and McNiece adding a point as it finished 2-14 to 1-8.