Three late points in injury time by the canny Errigal Ciaran saw the Tyrone champions overcome the brave challenge of Donegal champions St Eunans in Omagh tonight.
Errigal Ciaran…0-12 St Eunans…0-10
A brave display by the Letterkenny club fell just short when it mattered as both teams served up a fine display of clean and competitive football from start to finish.
Niall O Donnell was unable to start for St.Eunans but certainly helped his side’s cause when he came on at half time.
Errigal Ciaran started well to lead by 0-03 to 0-01 after ten minutes, Ruairi Canavan with two and Peter Harte the other, Conor O Donnell Jnr from a free opening Eunans account from a free. Conor O Donnell added their second to leave just one in it.
In the 14th minute Errigal Ciaran were awarded a penalty when Joe Oguz was fouled but Shaun Patton denied Peter Harte with a super save diving to his left.
Ruairi Canavan converted the resulting 45 to make it 0-04 to 0-02 but two excellent points from play by Shane O Donnell had the teams on level terms in a good contest.
St. Eunan’s squad before Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Shaun Patton saves Peter Harte’s penalty during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Darragh Mulgrew tries to shake off the attentions of Errigal Ciaran’s Ciaran McGinley during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Ciaran Moore looks for a way past Errigal Ciaran’s Niall Kelly during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Shane O’Donnell in a foot race for possession with Errigal Ciaran’s Cormac Quinn during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Eoin Dowling bursts past Errigal Ciaran’s Niall Kelly during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
After a lengthy scoreless period James Kelly kicked a super point to give Eunans the lead for the first time in the game and that’s how is was at half-time , St. Eunans leading but 0-05 to 0-04.
Odhran Robinson and Peter Harte points put Errigal ahead early in the second-half but Conor O Donnell Jnr levelled it up again from a free, 0-06 apiece.
Niall O Donnell put Eunans again but after a scoreless period sub Mark Kavanagh and Peter Og McCartan replied for Errigal to lead but two super points by Shane O Donnell had Eunans ahead again, 0-09 to 0-08.
That didn’t last long as Ben McDonnell tapped over to level it up once again.
But back came Eunans, Conor O Donnell Jnr converting a 45to make 0-10 to 0-09.
St. Eunan’s manager Barry Meehan during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Kevin Kealy battles for possession with Errigal Ciaran’s Ciaran McGinley during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Kieran Tobin tries to slow the progress of Errigal Ciaran’s Peter Harte during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
But as the game headed towards injury-time up stepped Errigal Ciaran midfielder Ben McDonnell to send over two excellent points from play, followed by sub Tommy Canavan’s clincher after The Tyrone men had turned over possession and broke forward at pace.
St. Eunan’s: Shaun Patton , Aaron Deeney, Conor Morrison, Caolan Ward , Darragh Mulgrew, Conor O’Donnell Snr, (0-01), Kieran Tobin , Eoin Dowling, James Kelly (0-01), Ciaran Moore, Shane O’Donnell (0-04), Kevin Kealy , Conor O’Donnell Jnr (0-03), Eoin McGeehin , Oran Winston.
Subs: Niall O Donnell (0-01), Pauric Boyle , Lee McMonagle ,
Errigal Ciaran: Daniel McAnenly , Cormac Quinn, Aidan McCrory, Ciaran Quinn; Tiernan Colhoun, Niall Kelly, Peter Og McCartan (0-01), Ben McDonnell (0-03) , Joe Oguz; Ciaran McGinley, Peter Harte (0-02), P McGirr , Darragh Canavan, Odhran Robinson (0-01) , Ruairi Canavan (0-03).
Subs: Tommy Canavan (0-01), Mark Kavanagh (0-01) , Ryan Ward , Dermott Morrow , ,
Referee : Noel Mooney (Cavan ).
St. Eunans’ Conor O’Donnell looks for options during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Eoin Dowling clashes mid air with Errigal Ciaran’s Joe Oguz during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
St. Eunans’ Shaun Patton lines up a shot during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
