Sport

Sludden impact swings Tyrone quarter-final in Dromore's favour

Niall Sludden scored the winning point for Dromore in their Tyrone SFC quarter-final win over Omagh
Niall Sludden scored the winning point for Dromore in their Tyrone SFC quarter-final win over Omagh Niall Sludden scored the winning point for Dromore in their Tyrone SFC quarter-final win over Omagh

LCC Group Tyrone quarter-final: Dromore 0-6 Omagh 0-5

COUNTY champions Dromore scraped through to the Tyrone SFC semi-finals with a dogged one-point win over Omagh and rainswept Loughmacrory.

A game that will not be remembered for its entertainment value showcased the bravery and commitment of two sets of players determined not to lose.

In the end, it was the introduction of All-Star Niall Sludden that swung it for the holders as they survived a late St Enda’s flourish.

Playing into the wind and rain, the St Enda’s took the game to the champions with a commitment to press men forward and take on a degree of risk.

But it was an unrewarding enterprise as they managed just two points I the opening half, but concede just three, an entirely acceptable balance, given the challenging weather conditions.

Ronan O’Neill finished off a move involving Conor Meyler and Tom Donaghy for an early point, and it took Dromore 12 minutes to get off the mark, turning over possession for Aodhan O’Donnell to win a free that Peter Teague converted.

Dromore also came up against a packed defence, but spread the play in search of openings, and Emmet McNabb found space out on the left to cut in and squeeze over a delightful point from a tight angle.

Meyler was probing for gaps at the other end, and almost struck gold as he broke through, bringing a fine save from goalkeeper Mark McGale.

Conan Grugan brought the sides level, but Ronan McNabb Jnr was on target at the other end to send the O’Neill Cup holders in with a slender 0-3 to 0-2 lead at the break.

Niall Sludden, unable to start due to a hamstring strain, came off the bench for the second half, making an immediate impact with a point.

Each one of the half dozen scores, equally shared in that second half, was the result of unbelievably hard graft and intense endeavour, with defensive heroes putting their bodies on the line – Conor O’Hara and Nathan McCarron for Dromore, as well as Omagh’s Aidan Clarke and Ciaran McLaughlin.

Omagh did have their chances to make a move, however, with a handful of efforts slipping the wrong side of a post.

Daniel McCrossan and Barry Tierney were on target, but they were unable to haul in a Dromore side that protected its lead with a Teague free and a second score from Sludden, an inspired effort from wide on the right in stoppage time.

Dromore: M McGale; P McHugh, N McCarron, C O’Hara; C Colton, R McCusker, O Rafferty; P Teague (0-2 frees), R McNabb snr; A O’Donnell, E McNabb (0-1), T McCarron; R McNabb Jnr (0-1), T Sludden, C O’Neill.

Subs: N Sludden (0-2) for McHugh, S McNabb for O’Donnell, C Goodwin for O’Neill, D McNulty for T Sludden, C MacRory for E McNabb

Omagh: C McCarron; E Corry, A Clarke, C McLaughlin; D McGuigan, B Tierney (0-1), F Taggart; E McCaffrey, C Meyler; B Og Campbell, C Grugan (0-1), D McCrossan (0-1); J McAnulla, R O’Neill (0-1), T Donaghy.

Subs: O Miller for McCrossan, R Strain (0-1) for Taggart, H Gallagher for McAnulla

Referee: S Campbell (Stewartstown)