Tyrone SFC: Trillick edge Dungannon as disputed two-pointer helps settle classic

Ciaran Daly’s disputed two-pointer in the second half helped tip the scales in favour of Trillick with Sean Hurson awarding the score despite his umpire flagging the kick wide

Connollys of Moy Tyrone SFC first round: Trillick 0-23 Dungannon 1-16

Trillick edged out Dungannon in a bona fide Championship classic in a packed Páirc Colmcille in Carrickmore on Saturday evening

However, the main talking point proved to be a disputed two-pointer from Ciaran Daly which was initially given wide before referee Sean Hurson overruled his umpire.

Trillick, champions in 2023, lost out to Errigal Ciaran in last season’s county final.

They were also beaten by the Clarke’s in penalties in the famous 2020 decider. The early stages hinted at another epic encounter with Paudi McNulty forcing Joe Maguire to make a cracking point-blank save with Seanie O’Donnell opening the scoring for Trillick.

Paul Donaghy replied in kind as the two teams settled into a toe-to-toe slugfest.

Ryan Gray scored a great point before Ciaran Daly landed Trillick’s first two-pointer. Dungannon weren’t lacking in that department either as Donaghy converted a two-point free before Clarke’s skipper Dálaigh Jones hit the score of the game.

His run through the heart of the Trillick defence resulted in an inspirational two-pointer from just inside the 45.

With 25 minutes played, Donaghy scored his second from play to tie the game at 0-9 all before Trillick finally put daylight between the teams with three unanswered points from Brennan, Mattie Donnelly and James Garrity.

Dungannon hit back with another Donaghy free before James Quinn pinched the restart from Damian Kelly to leave one between the teams.

However, a two-point free on the cusp of half-time restored Trillick’s three-point advantage.

That lead was wiped out in the opening moments of the second half when Lorcan Mallon’s rasping finishing into the roof of the net tied the game.

The lively James Quinn then nudged the Clarke’s into the lead and it took Trillick 10 minutes to reply via Liam Gray.

Donaghy and Quinn put Dungannon two clear before Ciaran Daly’s disputed kick. To Hurson’s credit, he was just metres from the Trillick midfielder while the low sun may have affected the view of his umpires.

Ryan Jones then crashed another goal chance off the crossbar and it seemed as though the tide had turned against Dungannon.

James Slater’s men showed great spirit to move ahead once more with another Donaghy two-point free on 51 minutes, but it would prove to be their final score of the game.

Despite losing Mattie Donnelly for a spell to a head injury, the introduction of his younger brother Richie was key to Trillick’s win.

He won a break at midfield on his introduction before winning the next kickout and setting up James Garrity for a point from play.

While Dungannon’s composure waned in the closing stages as they played on after being awarded a free from outside the arc, Trillick’s big-game players stepped up to the mark with captain Brennan scoring two, two-pointers in the closing moments to settle the game in his side’s favour.

Trillick scorers: Lee Brennan 0-8 (0-1f, 2tpfs, 1pt), Ciaran Daly 0-4 (2tps), James Garrity 0-3, Liam Gray 0-2, Seanie O’Donnell 0-2, Liam Corry 0-2, Ryan Gray 0-1, Mattie Donnelly 0-1,.

Dungannon scorers: Paul Donaghy 0-9 (0-2fs, 0-1 45, 2tps), James Quinn 0-4, Lorcan Mallon 1-0, Dálaigh Jones 0-2 (1tp), Patrick Quinn 0-1.