LCC Tyrone SFC semi-final: Coalisland 1-11 Edendork 0-13
EDENDORK came so close to pulling off another big shock in the LCC Tyrone SFC, as they pushed Coalisland to the very limit in a gripping semi-final at O’Neill Park on Saturday.
The Fianna trailed for almost an hour, and just two minutes of normal time remained when they went ahead for the first time. A breakaway goal by Peter Herron late in the first half proved so precious in the end as they held on to win by a single point and set up a repeat of the 2016 final against Killyclogher, which they lost after a replay.
A major turning point came in the 48th minute when Edendork lost Niall Morgan, the Tyrone goalkeeper who has been a sensation as an outfield player throughout this season’s championship adventure. Following Morgan’s departure on a black card, Coalisland reeled off five points without reply to make significant strides, but they still had a lot of work to do to shake off a stubborn opponent.
The St Malachy’s have never appeared in a senior championship final, but they signalled their intent to write a notable piece of club history as they raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead. With the gusting wind at their backs, they had their opponents on the back foot with strong running and ferocious tackling, picking off scores through Paul Donaghy and Darren McCurry, with Morgan sweeping at the back and driving forward at every opportunity.
Coalisland had gone 14 minutes without a score when Bailey Leonard added to Paddy McNeice’s early effort. But the St Malachy’s came again, and Jake Ferguson’s turnover and point had just opened up a five-point lead when the Blues struck for a goal on the breakaway.
Skipper Stephen McNally moved the ball quickly from deep to Cormac O’Hagan, and he spotted the run of the tireless Peter Herron, who showed that his finishing is on a par with his workrate, striking a powerful and accurate shot past Mark McReynolds in the 23rd minute.
Morgan drilled over a 50-metre free to send Edendork in with a 0-8 to 1-2 interval lead, but they had to prepare themselves for the inevitable bombardment after the restart. However, the third quarter proved to be a stalemate as Edendork protected their three-point lead with some terrific defending, including a vital Donal Maneely intercept as Jason Carberry crossed for McNeice in front of goal.
Coalisland corner-back Dan Fee, who scored a late winner in the first round win over Dromore, pushed forward to pick off a couple of points, and Cormac O’Hagan also found the target. But Damian Barton’s men were resilient and defiant, breaking at speed for Daire Conway, Stephen Gervin and McCurry to restore their cushion.
Morgan had just surged through from halfway for a brilliant individual score when his game was ended by a black card in the 48th minute, and finally Coalisland were able to find the pockets of space in which to create the scoring opportunities. Stephen McNally, Herron, Michael McKernan and Padraig Hampsey were all instrumental in cranking up the pressure on a tiring Edendork side, and the scoring opportunities began to appear.
McNeice converted a couple of frees, bringing his side level on 56 minutes, and two minutes later they went ahead for the first time through Herron. Edendork were reduced to 14 men when centre-back Conor Mallon picked up a second booking, and Coalisland could at last see the finish line as Padraig Hampsey made a commanding fetch to send substitute Cathaoir Quinn to make it a two-point game.
Edendork finished the game as they had started it, on the attack, but Padraig Donnelly’s stoppage time point was not enough.
MATCH STATS
Coalisland: P Donnelly; D Fee (0-2), P Hampsey, E Hampsey; M McKernan, S McNally, N Kerr; J Carberry, P Kane; P Herron (1-1), C O’Hagan (0-2), S Hughes; B Leonard (0-1), P McNeice (0-3, frees), N Fox; Subs: C Quinn (0-1) for Fox (38), T Quinn (0-1) for Leonard (43), E Rankin (63) for Herron
Edendork: M McReynolds, T Conlon, D Maneely, R Madden; B Murty, C Mallon, P Donnelly (0-1); N Morgan (0-2, 0-1 free), S Gervin (0-1); J Ferguson (0-1), S Donnelly, C McCurry; D McCurry (0-5, 0-4 frees), P Donaghy (0-2), D Conway (0-1); Subs: T Mallon for Morgan (black card, 48), C Hughes for C McCurry (52)
Referee: E McHugh (Aghyaran)
