LADIES|Patrick Fahy and Co Solicitors Tyrone Ladies Junior Football Final

Trillick St Macartans 0-9

Edendork St Malachy’s 1-5

There was high drama at the death and history created too as Trillick claimed a first Tyrone ladies championship title, edging out a gallant Edendork by a single point at Greencastle in a hugely entertaining junior final. Blustery conditions on the night failed to dampen the enthusiasm of two sides that came to play football. In the end it was cool heads and the experience of Trillick that secured the Brenda Logue Cup after Edendork’s Emma Connolly had levelled things with a late late goal.

There was little between the sides  throughout and just a point separated them at the break with the Reds under the guidance of former county star Brendan Donnelly having the slight edge. Trillick could have been ffurther in front haing hit a raft wides too as Nuala Kelly and Fiona McCarney struggled to find their range. The St Malachy’s defence deserve some credit too mind you as they worked overtime to deny Trillick the time and space to create scores. Team captain Eimear Mallon especially worked over time keeping Kelly scoreless.

The East Tyrone club got a good start when Meave Maxwell landed an early point and she kept her side very much in the tie as Trillick pressed into the lead through McCarney. Trillick could have gone further in front too when they were awarded a penalty. However McCarney’s spot kick though was well saved by Kelly Taggart in the Edendork goals.

Edendork, with late replacement Eireann Palmer and forwards Caoimhe Rafferty and Maxwell working hard to get the openings found Trillick hard to break down. Maxwell managed to latch on further scores to leave them just a point shy of Trillick with Niamh O’Donnell adding to the Reds tally before the break.

Trillick added to the points haul as the second half ebbed and flowed. With Brenda Kelly and Ciara Brogan working hard and allied to a solid defence Trillick cranked up the pressure leaving little room for Edendork to break through. The St Malachy’s who had been free scoring through the championship managed just a single point in almost thirty second half minutes as McCarney, O’Donnell and Cathy Donnelly scores saw Trillick lead 0-8 to 0-5 going into the final minutes.

There was to be a double sting in the tail of this decider however and it was a cruel one too. Emma Connolly found the net for Edendork with seconds to go to leave the sides level. Trillick however refused to settle for a draw and pushed up the park immediately in search a winner and it came.

A poor kick out was collected by the confident Fiona McCarney and the number  ten  landed the winner, game set and championship for the Reds. The result saw massive celebrations for Trillick while it was heartbreak for Edendork who must surely have believed they were going to get something from this game after their late, late goal. with such a score so late in the game they had given themselves a real chance only to see the rug pulled from under them.

On the balance of things however Trillick deserved the win. They created a host of chances and pressed with their experience especially near the end proving crucial.