Aghyaran and Tattyreagh served up a real cracker of a grade two minor league final on Thursday evening at Drumquin before the St Davogs emerged 3-8 to 0-15 winners. The Tatts will look back on a lack lustre first half that saw them concede midfield superiority to Aghyaran as the boys in green and gold dominated possession and scoring chances.
A fifth minute goal from Benny Gallen put Aghyaran 1-1 to no score in front as the border men started the match on top. Gallen, Brian Penrose and Ethan Mc Hugh were causing the normally resolute Tattyreagh defence a host of problems as they capitalised on the superiority afforded them by the work rate and industry of Ciaran Mc Glinchey, Thomas Dolan and Cahir Moss.
Points from Gallen and Mc Hugh stretched the Aghyaran lead to 1-4 to 0-2 but Tattyreagh eventually woke from their slumber to narrow the gap to three points following scores from James Darcy and Jarlath Mc Donagh as the clock ticked towards half time. However sloppy defensive play allowed Aghyaran forward Mc Hugh a sight of goal and the young corner forward made no mistake with an inch perfect finish. The final score of the half came from the boot of Tattyreagh midfielder James Darcy to leave the half time score 2-4 to 0-5 in favour of Aghyaran.
The second half saw Mc Donagh and Mc Hugh exchange points before the Tatts upped the pace and threw caution to the wind. Johnny Harkin, James Darcy and Peadar Mullan drove forward at every opportunity and created numerous chances for their side. Scores from Darcy, Mullan and Niall Murray narrowed the gap to a single point midway through the second half as the momentum switched very much in favour of Tattyreagh.
The next score was always going to be important and what a score it proved to be. A relieving clearance from defence found Ethan Mc Hugh in space. Mc Hugh executed an inch perfect pass that found Benny Gallen free close to the Tattyreagh goal and Gallen did the rest to put his team four clear again.
Lesser sides would have thrown in the towel following such a setback but not this Tattyreagh side. Back again they came and scores from Gilloway, Harkin and Darcy narrowed the gap once more. Aghyaran goalkeeper Conor Logue made a superb stop while his defence withstood a Tattyreagh siege in the closing minutes that sadly for the lads in red and black just came up short as the North Tyrone outfit held out to win 3-8 to 0-15.
Team captain Brian Penrose received the league trophy from County Board PRO Eunan Lindsay following an enthralling and highly entertaining game.
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