Gaelic Games

Lavery’s crucial goal helps Clonoe claim Tyrone title

Carrickmore second best in entertaining senior football final

Ryan T O’Neill of Clonoe tussles for possession with Niall Loughran of Carrickmore. Photo: Andrew Paton/Inpho
Ryan T O’Neill of Clonoe tussles for possession with Niall Loughran of Carrickmore. Photo: Andrew Paton/Inpho
Mon Oct 14 2013 - 01:00

Clonoe 3-8 Carrickmore 0-12

Clonoe claimed their eighth Tyrone SFC title and a first since 2008 with a five points win over Carrickmore at Healy Park.

The O’Rahilly’s struck for goals at crucial times, and missed a penalty as they set up a clash with Derry champions Ballinderry in next weekend’s Ulster Club SFC preliminary round tie.

Paul Coney, Danny McNulty and PJ Lavery all hit the net, and while Carrickmore displayed their famous battling spirit throughout, they left themselves with too much to do at the end.

Connor McAliskey showcased his class in the opening 10 minutes with two wonderful scores from play and an assist for Stephen McNulty’s free as the O’Rahilly’s went ahead by 0-3 to 0-1.

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Martin Penrose pulled back a point, but Clonoe struck for a goal in the 12th minute. McAliskey gathered Ryan T O’Neill’s diagonal delivery and cut the ball back to Paul Coney for a simple tap-in.

They should have had a second goal six minutes later but 38-year-old goalkeeper Plunkett ‘Oz’ McCallan saved superbly from Colm Doris’s penalty.

Clonoe failed to score in the remaining 20 minutes of the half and the sides were level at 0-6 to 1-3 at the break.

Danny McNulty rose high to fetch and rifle home a second goal just 10 seconds into the second half.

Carmen refused to panic and got themselves back in front through Mickey McCallan but a superb goal from PJ Lavery put Clonoe on the road to a deserved victory.
CLONOE: M O'Neill, D Quinn, A Brady, C O'Neill, S Hughes, S McCann, PJ Lavery (1-0), S McNulty (0-3, 3f), S O'Hagan, RT O'Neill, C Doris (0-1), P Doris, P Coney (1-0), D McNulty (1-0), C McAliskey (0-4, 1f). Subs: D McClure, G Coney, RR O'Neill .
CARRICKMORE: P McCallan, R Mullan, C McGurk, C Mullan, M Donaghy (0-1), C Gormley, R Loughran (0-1), J Rafferty, N Loughran (0-1), M McCallan (0-2), M Donnelly (0-1, free), M Gallagher (0-1), P McAleer (0-2), M Penrose (0-3, 2f), B Daly. Subs: R McNally, E Hughes, M Slane.
Referee: Martin Sludden (Dromore).