Connolly’s of Moy Tyrone SFC quarter-final
Errigal Ciaran 1-16 Trillick 0-12
Errigal Ciaran’s game plan was perfectly executed at O’Neills Healy Park as they made a big statement with a convincing Connollys of Moy Tyrone SFC quarter-final win over Trillick in the last eight of the Connolly’s of Moy Tyrone SFC tonight.
In doing so, they set up a last four clash with champions Loughmacrory, with Edendork facing the winners of the replay between Carrickmore and Donaghmore.
Teenagers Shea McDermott and Aodhan Quinn starred in the front line of attack, hitting a combined total of 1-8, and the injury crisis that has dogged the Dunmoyle side all year made big strides in the right direction.
Ruairi Canavan, Joe Oguz and Tommy Canavan all came off the bench to make welcome returns to action and bolster the 2024 All-Ireland finalists’ bid to return to the Red Hand pinnacle.
Trillick’s path to the quarter-final was challenged by an appeal following their narrow first round victory over Galbally.
The Pearses club challenged the outcome of the match over a disallowed score, but their case was unsuccessful and the St Macartan’s were given the all-clear to continue their preparations for the clash with Errigal.
Richie Donnelly gave the Reds an early lead, but once Errigal started to dominate possession around the middle third, they were able to cut through.
Daniel Donnelly kept a close eye on full forward Darragh Canavan, but on either side of the Tyrone star, two exciting teenagers did the damage.
Aodhan Quinn and Shea McDermott both fired over points, with the veteran Peter Harte also on target.
And when the kick-out malfunctioned in the eleventh minute, Errigal punished, Harte sending McDermott in to crash the ball to the net.
Harte’s second had them six clear by the end of the opening quarter, but solid defending from Colm Garrity and Michael Garrity broke the momentum, and Ciaran Daly, Richie Donnelly and Mattie Donnelly probed for openings.
Lee Brennan was the man to convert their creative endeavour into scores, and Simon Garrity also kicked a point, but Errigal finished the half strongly, Quinn and McDermott scoring again, before Padraig McGirr galloped through the middle to make it 1-8 to 0-6 at the break.
Richie Donnelly, Colm Garrity and Brennan all hit the target early in the second half to get Trillick back into their flow, but with the gap back to two, Errigal stepped on the gas again, with the masterful Harte using all his experience to orchestrate their seizure of control.
By the 50th minute they had stretched it out to six,, McDermott, Canavan and Padraig McGirr all hitting the target, and Trillick, with Mattie Donnelly and Seanie O’Donnell forced to leave the action, were feeling the pressure.
They did almost craft a goal for Simon Garrity, and pulled back scores through Liam Corry and Daly, but couldn’t get close to an Errigal side inspired by the brilliant McDermott, who brought his tally to 1-5 late on.
Errigal Ciaran scorers: S McDermott 1-5 (1’45, 1f), A Quinn 0-3, P Harte (1f), P McGirr 0-2 each, D Canavan, P Og McCartan, A McCrory, C Quinn 0-1 each.
Trillick scorers: L Brennan 0-4 (2f), C Daly, R Donnelly 0-2 each, S Garrity, S O’Donnell, C Garrity, L Corry 0-1 each.
Connollys of Moy Tyrone SFC semi-finals
Errigal Ciaran v Loughmacrory
Edendork v Carrickmore/Donaghmore
