Sport

Sludden's strike sparks Dromore celebrations

TYRONE SFC FINAL Dromore 1-8 Clonoe 2-4: DROMORE HELD on in a gripping finish for a second Tyrone SFC title in three seasons…

Mon Oct 24 2011 - 01:00

TYRONE SFC FINAL Dromore 1-8 Clonoe 2-4:DROMORE HELD on in a gripping finish for a second Tyrone SFC title in three seasons, exacting revenge on a Clonoe side that had triumphed in the 2008 decider.

Teenager Niall Sludden emerged as the late, late hero, as he floated over a sublime winning point to give the St Dympna’s their third senior title.

Spirited Clonoe had come from seven points behind to draw level with ten minutes remaining thanks to two superb goals from centre back Shane Coney and minor star Daniel McNulty.

Earlier, Dromore eased ahead with converted frees from skipper Eoin McCusker and Paddy Montague. A Patrick Doris free gave Clonoe their only score of the opening 27 minutes, with Fabian O’Neill, Ryan McMenamin and Seán O’Neill cutting off their best attacking efforts.

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Midfielder Montague powered over the game’s opening score from play in the 19th minute, and when McCusker collected Colm McCullagh’s return pass to fire over a point, they led by 0-4 to 0-1.

Dromore went in with a 0-6 to 0-3 interval lead, and went further ahead when Ryan McMenamin pushed forward to add a point.

And they struck for a goal in the 35th minute, a score that was to prove the catalyst for a pulsating second half. Colm McCullagh was dispossessed, but the ball ran loose to McCusker, who rifled his shot low past Mickey O’Neill.

But Dromore were to score just one further point as they were pinned back for long stretches by a resurgent Clonoe side which battled for possession with frenzied endeavour until the last whistle.

DROMORE: P Ward; F O'Neill, C McCarron, K Donnelly (0-1); C O'Hara, R McMenamin (0-1), S O'Neill (0-1); H McNulty, P Montague (0-2, one free); R McNabb, E McCusker (1-2, one free), N Sludden (0-1), S McDonnell, E O'Neill, C McCullagh. Sub: C O'Neill for Donnelly.

CLONOE: M O'Neill; D Burke, A Brady, D Coney; E Teague, S Coney (1-0), G Coney; S O'Hagan, S McNulty; C McAliskey, C Doris, C Donnelly (0-1), P Doris (0-2, two frees), RT O'Neill, PJ Lavery. Subs: D McNulty (1-1) for RT O'Neill, D Hanna for D Coney, RR O'Neill for McAliskey, RT O'Neill for Lavery.

Referee: E McHugh(Aghyaran). Replaced by E McConnell(Clogher).