ERRIGAL CIARAN HAVE secured their ninth Tyrone football championship, with the narrowest of wins over last year’s champions, Trillick. The key to the success of the Enda McGinley-managed side was a strong third quarter that brought four consecutive points in a game where they were hard come by with two strong defences committed to making a series of blocks. After a nip and tuck first half where neither side had a sniff of goal, Errigal were in front by a point with both Canavan brothers Ruairi and Darragh looking menacing.
Trillick drew level at the start of the second half with an improbable point from out by the sideline from Ryan Gray. But as the half wore on, Errigal’s greater size around the middle told as they unleashed a forceful press on Trillick goalkeeper Joe Maguire’s kickouts. Ben McDonnell with countless carries forward and Joe Oguz with a massive athleticism gave them a serious platform from which to build.
One of Oguz’s run was halted by a high tackle from Rory Brennan, with Ruairi Canavan pointing the free to start their run. A wide from Canavan the Young and an effort dropped short from his brother Darragh, along with a couple of blocked shots was telling the story of Trillick baling water. Then, it clicked.
Substitute Padraig McGirr was fouled by Brennan for Peter Harte to step up and point with that left boot of his. Maguire was caught in two minds with the next kickout and when Errigal won it, they drove hard at the defence and it yielded another R.
