Gaelic Games

St Enda’s claim eighth Tyrone football title

Ronan O’Neill struck a late goal for the Omage side aginst Carrickmore at Healy Park

Omagh St.Endas’ match-winner Ronan O’Neill celebrates at Healy Park. Photograph: Russell Pritchard / Inpho / Presseye
Omagh St.Endas’ match-winner Ronan O’Neill celebrates at Healy Park. Photograph: Russell Pritchard / Inpho / Presseye
Sun Sept 28 2014 - 18:51

Omagh St Enda’s 1-10 Carrickmore 0-12

Omagh stunned Carrickmore with a stoppage time Ronan O'Neill goal to lift their eighth Tyrone senior club football title at Healy Park.

Martin Penrose had just slotted over a couple of points to drag Carrickmore to within centimetres of the finish line, but their dreams of a record 15th crown were shattered right at the death.

Tyrone star O’Neill tore the script to shreds with his late, late strike to condemn the Colmcilles to a fourth final defeat since their last triumph in 2005.

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They were level on five occasions in a fast-moving first half, with Joe McMahon edging the midfield battle against county colleague Conor Gormley.

Carrickmore were chasing the game until Penrose nudged them in front for the first time in the 29th minute

Earlier, Jason McAnulla and Ronan O’Neill had hit the target to keep the St Enda’s in front.

Wing back Ruairi Loughran arrowed over his second point in stoppage time to give Carrickmore a 0-8 to 0-6 interval lead.

St Enda’s closed the gap with scores from O’Neill and McMahon, who thumped over a long range free, before inspirational centre back Barry Tierney sent them back in front with a wonderful surging run and point.

Carrickmore were reduced to 14 men in the 45th minute when defender Johnny Munroe received a second yellow card, but they went back in front when the excellent Penrose fired over two points from play.

The game had just slipped into stoppage time when Omagh launched one last desperate attack, which saw substitute Cathal McCarron pick out full forward O’Neill, and he wriggled past two defenders to plant the ball in the net.

Omagh: R Clarke, H Gallagher, Justin McMahon, S Mullan, C McLaughlin, B Tierney (0-2), C McMahon, Joe McMahon (0-1, f), C Grugan (0-2, 2f), A Grugan, J McAnulla (0-1), C O'Neill, C O'Donnell, R O'Neill (1-4, 0-2f), C Meyler.

Subs: M Flanagan for C O'Neill, C Starrs for McLaughlin, C McCarron for Meyler

Carrickmore: P McCallan, M Slane, C McGurk, J Munroe, M Donaghy (0-1, f), B McLaughlin, R Loughran (0-2), N Loughran, C Gormley (0-1), F Magill, M Penrose (0-5, 2f), M Gallagher, P McAleer (0-3), M Donnelly, D Fox.

Subs: C Daly for Fox, P McMahon for Magill, B Daly for McAleer

Referee: S Hurson (Galbally).