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Carrickmore 4-14 v Donaghmoyne 2-10
Recently crowned Tyrone champions Carrickmore advanced to the semi-finals of the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament after a convincing second half performance saw them overcome a talented and highly motivated Donaghmoyne team. It was a sparkling attacking display by Michael Gallagher’s charges ably led by full forward Daniel Fullerton. The early stages of the game were dominated by Donaghmoyne with three points from play before a Fullerton free got Carrickmore on the scoreboard. The Tyrone side began to dominate possession with the physical and athletic presence of Brian Conway having a major bearing on the game. Points from Oisin McGurk, Cahir Munroe and Fullerton pushed Carmen ahead for the first time, but Donaghmoyne rallied with a point followed by a great goal after a weaving run by Christopher Cunningham to bring his side back into the game. The midfield battle between Carrickmore’s Tiarnan McGarrity and Conor Cuddy and Donaghmoyne’s Darragh Flanagan and Brendan Keenan was proving to be a spectacle for the large crowd that was in attendance. The momentum was switching from one side to the other in what was an enthralling contest, first it was Carrickmore's turn to convert chances with a goal by Fullerton and two more points that extended their lead before Donaghmoyne came roaring back with points from Hugh Murnaghan, Gerard Finnegan and Liam McDonald and they crowned their dominance when Gerard Finnegan drove the ball to the corner of the net after receiving a great diagonal pass just before the half-time whistle to leave half time scores 2-07 to 2-06 in favour of Donaghmoyne.
The second half began like the first with Donaghmoyne on the attack and stretching their lead when Liam McDonald split the posts. However they were only to score twice more in the half as Carrickmore roared on by a vociferous support stepped up a gear. McGarrity and Cuddy in the middle of the field dominated possession and supplied the forwards who picked off scores from all angles. Man of the match Fullerton finished with 1-6, whilst Cahir Munroe (0-3) and Lorcan McGarrity (1-2) extended the lead. Their defence was superbly marshalled by Seamus Sweeney, McGurk and Conway who snuffed out numerous Donaghmoyne attacks and provided few shooting opportunities for the Monaghan outfit. Victorious manager Gallagher was understandably delighted to get over the first hurdle ‘We're very happy to come out of what was a great test for our lads. We knew Donaghmoyne weren't going to be easy and they certainly made life diffcult for us for long periods of the game. I think our boys displayed great character and maturity at the vital stages of the match and we're delighted with how composed they remained when the game was on a knife-edge. This is one of the positives to bring into our clash with Loch Gowna next week but it's back to the training ground on Tuesday night to try and iron out some of our careless errors as we're well aware that the same level of performance will not be enough to get us over the line against this talented Cavan side.’ Carrickmore will now play Lough Gowna, the Cavan champions on Saturday 17th Nov at 12.00 as they seek a first ever appearance in the Paul McGirr final.
Carickmore – Colm Eccles, Matthew McCallan, Seamus Sweeney, Michael McElduff, Oisin McGurk, Brian Conway, James Donaghy, Conor Cuddy, Tiarnan McGarrity, Cathair Conroy, Cahir Munroe, Daniel Fullerton, Daithi McCallan, Cahir Loughran and Lorcan McGarrity – Subs – Corey Garrity for Conroy, Conall McKee for Daithi McCallan, Donall Sweeney for McElduff.
Donaghmoyne – Neal Egan, Daryl Markey, David Kerley, Ben Lynch, Christopher Cunningham, Sean McGinnty, Darragh Flannagan, Brendan Keenan, Josh Wilson, Hugh Murnaghan, Gavin McSkeane, Gerard Finnegan, Liam McDonald, Declan Courtney.
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