Tyrone SFC Final: Breakthrough success for Loughmacrory
Seanie O'Donnell, Trillick, and Gareth Donaghy, Loughmacrory, in Tyrone SFC Final action. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
Tyrone SFC Final
Loughmacrory 0-18 Trillick 2-11
By Francis Mooney at O'Neill's Healy Park
Loughmacrory claimed their first ever Tyrone SFC title in a sensational decider at O’Neills Healy Park, where they produced a heroic performance to edge out Trillick.
The Lough were appearing in the decider for the first time, in fact they had never contested a semi-final prior to this season, but they announced themselves as the new kings of Red Hand football on a day that will never be forgotten in a tight-knit community that has lived in the shadow of parish neighbours Carrickmore for half a century.
They had a game plan, and they stuck to it despite being knocked back by two Ciaran Daly goals, and finished strongly with Gareth Donaghy’s winning point on the stroke of full-time.
The St Teresa’s had many stars on the day, but a towering midfield performance from Cathal Donaghy stood out, as did the attacking brilliance of Eoin McElholm and Ruairi McCullagh, who shared a 10 points haul.
Trillick wasted no time in taking an early advantage as they strode into positive action, nailing three early scores through Charlie Donnelly, Lee Brennan, from a ’45, and Simon Garrity.
But Loughmacrory had the gusting wind in their backs and quickly recovered tho impose themselves on the contest, taking control of the central third and pressing forward with flair and authority.
Aodhan Donaghy, Cathal Donaghy and Ronan Fox won vital ball as they pressed the Trillick kcik-out, and the scores began to flow.
Eoin McElholm was at the heart of it all, his movement and vision causing real problems for the Trillick defence, from the moment he sent fellow All-Ireland U20 winner Ruairi McCullagh through for their opening score.
McElholm added a neat score, before Cathaoir Gallagher gave them the lead with a two-pointer from close to the sideline.
Winning clean and broken possession in the middle third, they maintained the pressure, with McCullagh and Cathaoir Gallagher also on target.
McElholm smashed a fiercely struck shot against the crossbar, before edging his side into a 0-7 to 0-4 interval lead.
Trillick got themselves back level with a Ciaran Daly goal in the 19th minute, finished from close range after Lee Brennans effort had dropped short.
Loughmacrory recovered for McCullagh, McElholm, with a two-pointer, and Aodhan Donaghy to hit the target for a 0-12 to 1-6 interval lead.
Trillick got themselves back level with a Ciaran Daly goal in the 19th minute, finished from close range after Lee Brennans effort had dropped short.
Loughmacrory recovered for McCullagh, McElholm, with a two-pointer, and Aodhan Donaghy to hit the target for a 0-12 to 1-6 interval lead.
Midfielder Cathal Donaghy led the Lough charge early in the second half with three quickfire points, but Daly cut through to collect a Mattie Donelly pass and rifle his second goal into the bottom corner of Oisin O’Kane’s net in the 33rd minute.
Mattie Donnelly led by example as the St Macartan’s dug in to get themselves back in a winning position, sending over a point, while his brother Richie came off the bench to add further experience.
Seanie O’Donnell ran strongly at the Loughmacrory defence, but Nathan Kelly and Arnoldas Macidulskas stood firm, while Ronan Fox was a rock at the heart of the resilience.
Richie Donnelly punched over a point, and a breach gave Lee Brennan an opportunity to equaliser from a 55th minute free.
Ultimately, it was McElholm who cut through the Reds’ defence to send Gareth Donaghy away for the winner on 60 minutes.
Scorers for Loughmacrory: R McCullagh 0-6 (3f), C Donaghy 0-5 (1tp), E McElholm 0-4 (1tp), G Donaghy, A Donaghy, C Gallagher 0-1 each.
Scorers for Trillick: C Daly 2-0, L Brennan 0-5 (3f, 1 ’45), M Donnelly, S Garrity, C Donnelly, L Gray, R Donnelly, R Brennan 0-1 each.
Loughmacrory: O O’Kane; D Curran, N Kelly, A Macidulskas; S Dobbs, R Fox, S Conway; A Donaghy, C Donaghy; G Donaghy, E McElholm, C Gallager; P Meenagh, R McCullagh, M McNamee.
Subs: R Grimley for Meenagh (61).
Trillick: J Maguire; D Gallagher, P McCaughey, Stephen O’Donnell; C Garrity, R Brennan, M Gallagher; L Gray, C Daly; Seanie O’Donnell, M Donnelly, C Donnelly; J Garrity, L Brennan, S Garrity.
Subs: D Tunney for Stephen O’Donnell (39), R Donnelly for C Donnelly (43), L Corry for S Garrity (48).
Referee: M Loughran (Errigal Ciaran).
