Tyrone SFC Final: Edendork make history

Connolly's of Moy Tyrone SFC Final

Edendork 1-14 Errigal Ciaran 1-13

By Franics Mooney.

Niall Morgan emerged as the late, late hero as he kicked a two-point free deep into stoppage time to win a first ever Tyrone SFC title for Edendork.

Peter Harte looked as if he had secured a third triumph in five years for Errigal Ciarean when he edged them ahead in the 62nd minute of a gripping replay, but Morgan struck sweetly from 45 metres to nail a sensational victory for the underdogs, who had earned a second chance with Darren McCurry’s stoppage time two-pointer five days earlier.

A second successive first-time winner in a year flagged up the fiercely competitive environment in which the Tyrone SFC is played, Edendork becoming the tenth different club to lift the O’Neill Cup in the last 20 years.

This was a particularly emotional one for a club celebrating the greatest day in its 94-year history, joyful tears unashamedly shed on the Healy Park grass as supporters mobbed their heroes.

Now the St Malachy’s move forward to take on another new challenge, an Ulster Club SFC first round clash with Clonduff of Down next Saturday.

McCurry was too hot for his Tyrone team-mate Cormac Quinn to handle, darting through to pick off four points from play in the opening quarter.

But those classy scores weren’t enough to get his side ahead as Errigal, powering forward off Darragh McAnenly’s excellent kick-outs, had a response for each one.

Odhran Robinson, Shea McDermott, Peter Harte and Peter Og McCartan were all on target for the Dunmoyle men as they edged in front by 0-5 to 0-4.

They went four clear with a 20th minute Padraig McGirr goal. McCartan swapped passes with Harte before sending McGirr in to slide the ball low past Niall Morgan.

McDermott missed a chance to stretch the gap to six as a two-point free tailed just wide, and Edendork took full advantage, finishing the half with a flourish, and 1-3 without reply.

Fiachra Nelis intercepted a shot Errigal kick-out to release Luke Ferguson, who was fouled by ‘keeper Darragh McAnenly, and McCurry stepped up to slot the penalty to the bottom corner of the net.

They went in with a 1-8 to 1-6 interval lead, but Harte was the driving force Errigal needed to get them back on terms, and another brace of scores from the former Tyrone stars had his side level.

The St Malachy’s had their own inspirational figure in centre back Ben Cullen, who powered through to send over two crucial scores, sending them into the final quarter ahead by 1-10 to 1-8.

Ruairi Canavan came off the bench to add a spark to the Errigal attack, hitting a couple of scores to set the game on a knife-edge, and it was Harte who brought them level, before hitting the 62nd minute lead point.

Edendork refused to accept it was gone, and when Con Kilpatrick won a foul on the 45 metre line, Morgan stepped up to send the free sailing between the posts with virtually the last kick of the game.

Edendork scorers: D McCurry 1-6 (1-0 pen, 0-2f), N Morgan 0-3 (1tpf, 1 ’45), B Cullen 0-2, P McLernon, J McLernon, C Bell 0-1 each.

Errigal Ciaran scorers: P McGirr 1-0, P Harte 0-5, S McDermott 0-4 (3f), R Canavan 0-2, P Og McCartan, O Robinson 0-1 each.

Edendork: N Morgan; D Maneely, F Devlin, N Kilpatrick; F Nelis, B Cullen, C Bell; C Kilpatrick, L Ferguson; P McLernon, C Mallon, J Ferguson; D McCurry, H Og Conlan, J McLernon. Subs: J Fearon for L Ferguson (33), S Corr for F Nelis (51).

Errigal Ciaran: D McAnenly; C Quinn; A McCrory, R O’Sullivan; T Colhoun, N Kelly, P Og McCartan; B McDonnell, P McGirr; P Traynor, P Harte, A Quinn; S McDermott, O Robinson, J Oguz. Subs: R Canavan for Traynor (36), M Mullin for McCartan (40), E Kelly for McGirr (42), C McGinley for O’Sullivan (54), T Canavan for Oguz (57).

Referee: C Forbes (Ardboe).