Killyclogher 2-10 Errigal Ciaran 0-11

Bradley and O’Neill goals end Errigal’s interest (Match Report Courtesy of The Tyrone Herald)
Errigal Ciaran 0-11
Killyclogher 2-10
A REJUVENATED Killyclogher turned last night’s Senior Championship clash completely on its head with a sensational second half revival which left Errigal Ciaran reeling.
Well-executed goals by Mark Bradley and Simon O’Neill set St Mary’s on their way to an ultimately convincing five point victory at sunkissed Pairc Colmcille, even after seeing their county star Dermot Carlin red carded.
It was a remarkable turnaround in fortunes with Errigal seemingly coasting to victory after they eased 0-8 to 0-2 in front coming up to the interval, playing some precise and polished football.
But after a few choice words at the break, Killyclogher re-emerged from the changing rooms a completely different animal, and inspired by the McCann brothers, Tiernan and Conall, they swept Errigal aside in emphatic manner.
Clearly keen to atone for last year’s first round Championship exit at the hands of Clonoe, Errigal Ciaran looked like a team possessed from the throw-in and even with a significant wind advantage in the first half, the Dunmoyle boys bossed proceedings.
Displaying an insatiable work-rate and hunger, Errigal made their intentions clear fifteen seconds in when it took a superb block by Gabhan Sludden to deny Ciaran McGinley a near certain goal.
If Killyclogher felt they had dodged a bullet it was only a temporary reprieve and even operating with Emmett McFadden as a sweeper, Errigal sliced them open time and time again with their sharp and incisive running from deep.
Ronan McRory slotted over the opening point in the seventh minute after good work by Paudge McAnenly, and while Mark Bradley was denied a goal at the other end when Errigal keeper Darragh McAnenly pulled off a smothering block at his near post, that was a rare glimmer of the target for the St Mary’s attacking talisman.
Darren Canavan doubled Errigal’s advantage with a close range free and while Simon O’Neill provided a tidy finish to get Killyclogher on the scoreboard in the 13th minute , their play in the main looked lethargic and listless.
With the likes of Ciaran Quinn and Damian ‘DD’ McDermott driving forward in waves, Errigal looked dangerous anytime they crossed the halfway line, and Davy Harte and Ciaran McGinley hoisted over sublime efforts to ease them 0-4 to 0-1 in front coming up to the twenty minute mark.
It was one-way traffic at this juncture, with Killyclogher in danger of capitulating, and with confidence coursing through Errigal veins, Darren Canavan and Ciaran McGinley drove shots over the black spot with real conviction.
Leo Meenan’s converted 30m free belatedly lifted the siege but in the main St Mary’s were repeatedly dispossessed anytime they looked to venture beyond the opposition ’45’, as Errigal hunted in packs and gave Killyclogher no time to find any sort of cohesion.
Tommy Canavan and Darren Canavan again both raised white flags to stretch the advantage, and all Killyclogher could muster in reply was Leo Meenan’s injury time free.
The match and narrative was completely flipped on its head on the restart, even though Killyclogher now had the elements in their favour.
Three points in quick succession from Bradley, Meenan, and O’Neill (free) put Killyclogher right on Errigal’s tails and then when Bradley combined with Niall McFadden, before rifling past McAnenly for the first goal in the 41st minute the pumped-up Ballinamullan boys hit the lead for the first time.
The match was unravelling for Errigal and even after Carlin saw red, Killyclogher swooped for a second goal with McFadden again the creator, this time teeing up O’Neill for the lethal finish.
Errigal huffed and puffed but they clearly had expounded such much energy in the first half such was their industry and endeavour that there was little left in the tank. And as they tired so the McCann brothers excelled in the added space with brilliant points as St Mary’s finished with something of a swagger. The late red for a frustrated Ciaran McGinley put the tin hat on Errigal’s horror showing in the second half.
THE GAME AT A GLANCE
STAR MAN
CONALL MCCANN (KILLYCLOGHER)
Like his team as a whole the midfielder came out a transformed man after the break and helped his side take a stranglehold on the tie. Displayed real power and physical strength to maraud up the pitch and slotted over three wonderful points.
STAND OUT MOMENT
Mark Bradley’s first goal in the 41st minute was key in leapfrogging Killyclogher in front and giving them the belief and confidence to turn the match on its head.
THE VERDICT
Another of the big hitters Errigal fell by the wayside last night after a shock slump in the second half but full credit to Killyclogher for their inspired fightback
MATCHSTATS
THE SCORERS
Errigal Ciaran
Tommy Canavan (0-3, 2 frees), Darren Canavan (0-3,1 free), Ciaran McGinley (0-2), Damien ‘Dasher’ McDermott, David Harte, Ronan McRory (0-1 each)
Killyclogher
Simon O’Neill (1-2,1 free), Mark Bradley (1-1), Leo Meenan (0-3, 2frees), Conall McCann (0-3), Tiernan McCann (0-1)
THE TEAMS
Errigal Ciaran
Darragh McAnenly, Cathal McRory, Damien ‘DD’ McDermott, Ciaran Quinn, Damien ‘Dasher’ McDermott, Aidan McCrory, David Harte, Cormac McGlinchey, Shane Hackett, Ciaran McGinley, Tommy Canavan, Sean McKenna, Paudge McAnenly, Darren Canavan, Ronan McRory.
Subs used:
Damien ‘Daisy’ McDermott for R McRory (33 mins), Michael McCann for P McAnenly (46), Ryan Lynch for DD McDermott (60, black card)
Killyclogher
Sean Fox, Martin Swift, Gary Wallace, Carl Donnelly, Aiden Kelly, Dermot Carlin, Gabhan Sludden, Conall McCann, Niall McFadden, Tiernan McCann, Leo Meenan, Nathan Donnelly, Simon O’Neill, Mark Bradley, Emmett McFadden.
Subs used: Eoin Bradley for N Donnelly (h-time), Declan Leonard for G Wallace (43, black card), James Carlin for S O’Neill (56)
Referee
Eamon McHugh (Aghyaran)
By PRO Mon 1st Jun