Trillick Overcome Carrickmore in League Semi Final

Saturday 10.09.2022

All County League

Tyrone All County League Division 1 Semi Final
Trillick 0-18 Carrickmore 2-8

Carrickmore hung in to the bitter end in a high scoring contest in Donnelly Park but the home side’s 18 scores to the visitors 10 points showed that this Trillick team just had too many scoring options this afternoon.  The league champions from 2021 threatened to derail Trillick’s push for the line but in the end the home side deserved their win.

Trillick raced into a four point lead inside the opening seven minutes.  Two Mattie Donnelly marks were followed up with a Lee Brennan fisted point and Simon Garrity point from play.  Lorcan McGarrity got Carrickmore’s first score in the 8th minute from a mark and Danny Fullerton opened his account a minute later through a well taken free.  Trillick were 0-6 to 0-2 ahead by the 11th minute thanks to points from James Garrity and Lee Brennan.   The Reds threatened to pull further ahead but Carrickmore hit back with a well taken point from Niall Allison after he linked with Lorcan McBride.  A third Mattie Donnelly mark restored the home sides lead to four in the 19th minute and that lead was five a minute later as Lee Brennan found the range once again.  Carrickmore were on the back foot but that wouldn’t be the case for too long.  First Lorcan McGarrity clipped over a point before veteran Martin Penrose found the net for the visitors in the 23rd minute.  Trillick 0-8 Carrickmore 1-4.  Both sides shared the next four points from there to the break.  Two Triilick points from Mattie Donnelly and Lee Brennan cancelled out by two Carrickmore scores from Ruairi Loughran and Sean Loughran.  Half Time – Trillick 0-10 Carrickmore 1-6.

The Trillick advantage was almost four points in the 35th minute as Ryan Gray rifled a ball off the Carrickmore crossbar.  They did however slot the next three points of the game.  Liam Gray, Lee Brennan free, and Ciaran Daly all converting chances.  By the 50th minute Carrickmore had only edged a point back.   Two frees from Lorcan McGarrity and Danny Fullerton either side of another Lee Brennan free.  Just when it looked like Trillick might be sighting the finish line Carrickmore delivered another major.  Caolan Daly firing home to reduce the Reds lead to just a single point.  Ciaran Daly steadied the home side’s nerves in the 57th minute and it was left to Lee Brennan and Simon Garrity to land the last three scores of the game and book Trillick’s place in the decider.

Final Score – Trillick 0-18 Carrickmore 2-8

Trillick – R Kelly, S O’Donnell, D Gallagher, D Donnelly, R Brennan, D McQuaid, M Gallagher, L Gray (0-1), M Donnelly (0-4, 3M), S Garrity (0-2), R Gray, J Garrity (0-1), L Brennan (0-8, 5F), C Daly (0-2)

Subs – N Donnelly, P McCaughey

Carrickmore – J McCallan, S Donnelly, R Donnelly, S Loughran (0-1), N Allison (0-1), M Donaghy, R Slane, C Munroe, L McBride, J Donaghy, D Fullerton (0-2, 2F), A Fullerton, L McGarrity (0-3, 1M, 1F), M Penrose (1-0), C Daly (1-0)

Subs – R Loughran (0-1), M Donnelly, B Conway, J Munroe, S Grugan, C Munroe

Referee – Stephen Campbell (Stewartstown)