A stoppage-time goal from substitute Shea McDermott help quell a remarkable fightback from Omagh in Saturday’s quarter-final clash in Carrickmore
The cut-throat nature of the Tyrone SFC has been laid bare within 24 hours as Errigal Ciaran joined Trillick in the last four after coming through a pulsating battle with Omagh in Carrickmore on Saturday afternoon.
Trillick were almost knocked by Pomeroy in Omagh on Friday night when Brendan Burns crashed a shot off the crossbar in stoppage-time with the 2023 champions winning 1-13 to 1-11.
The current holders and Ulster club champions were also given a massive fright as a brilliant second half fightback from St Enda’s just fell short.
An early goal from Ciaran McGinley helped Errigal take control of proceedings and the Dunmoyle looked like the might replicate their facile round one win over Ardboe.
Tommy Canavan set the tone with an early goal chance before Peter Óg McCartan and Canavan (two-point free) hit scores either side of a fine effort from Ronan O’Neill.
When Odhran Robinson set McGinley up for a neat finish, Errigal led 1-3 to 0-1 after nine minutes.
McCartan added a second late in the half with Niall Kelly and Darragh Canavan also getting on the scoresheet while four excellent points from Jason McAnulla helped keep Omagh in the game.
With Errigal leading 1-8 to 0-5 at half-time, Omagh needed a strong start to the second half and that’s exactly what they got.
Barry Tierney almost plundered a goal on the restart, but was denied by Darragh McAnenly before points from O’Neill (two) and Enda McCaffrey cut the gap to three.
Robinson’s point on 37 minutes eased the pressure momentarily on Errigal before Omagh suffered a huge blow with the influential Conor Meyler was shown a black card.
Five minutes later, Enda McGinley’s men were also reduced to 14 when Ciaran Quinn was sin-binned while Oisin Miller was on target for St Enda’s before being denied by another fine save from McAnenly.
A free from Ruairi Canavan put his side three ahead once more approaching the final 10 minutes, but the Canavan siblings were well marked by Aidan Clarke and and Ben Grugan.
Miller and Damien McGuigan replied for Omagh before Conan Grugan thought he had drawn his side level with a two-pointer, but a white flag was raised.
O’Neill then had a chance from a two-point free, but dropped his effort short before Darragh Canavan and Dan Haigney exchanged points.
With four minutes of stoppage time announced, there was ample time for further scores and the vital one was scored by Errigal substitute Shea McDermott.
Just as he did against Ardboe, he struck for a late goal after fine build-up play from Ben McDonnell and Darragh Canavan.
A last-gasp effort from Fionnbharr Taggart was deflected over the crossbar as Omagh’s rousing comeback fell short with Errigal surviving a bruising quarter-final battle.
Errigal Ciaran scorers: Ciaran McGinley 1-1, Tommy Canavan 0-3 (1tpf), Darragh Canavan 0-3, Shea McDermott 1-0, Peter Óg McCartan 0-2, Niall Kelly 0-1, Odhran Robinson 0-1, Ruairi Canavan 0-1 (0-1f).
Omagh scorers: Jason McAnula 0-4, Oisin Miller 0-3, Ronan O’Neill 0-3, Enda McCaffrey 0-1, Conan Grugan 0-1, Damien McGuigan 0-1, Dan Haigney 0-1, Fionnbharr Taggart 0-1.
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