LAST UPDATE | 5 Sep 2020
REIGNING TYRONE CHAMPIONS Trillick booked their 2020 senior football championship final date after a hard-fought, four-point win over 2018 winners Coalisland Na Fianna this evening.
They now face Dungannon in the showpiece, who reached their first senior championship final in 34 years after a dramatic extra-time win over Errigan Ciaran in the second match of the Healy Park double-header.
Earlier on, Nigel Seaney’s Trillick marched on once again following their dramatic quarter-final penalty shootout win last Friday night, with Red Hand star Mattie Donnelly and their brilliant brothers, Lee and Rory Brennan, and Simon and James Garrity, leading the way in the 2-13 to 1-12 victory.
Veteran midfielder Plunkett Kane handed Coalisland the dream start when he scored a second-minute goal, but Trillick took the lead with a major of their own through Liam Gray shortly after — making it 1-2 to 1-0 with 10 on the clock.
Plunkett Kane with an early GOAL for Coalisland! pic.twitter.com/lvs57i8lXD
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 5, 2020
Liam Gray finds the back of the net for @TrillickGAC pic.twitter.com/iFQPOSSm19
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 5, 2020
1-6 to 1-5 up at the break, the defending champions hit the ground running on the restart with a Simon Garrity goal from the throw-in. Himself and his brother James, along with Donnelly, soon helped Trillick into a six-point lead, though Tiarnan Quinn led an impressive Coalisland comeback — despite several missed chances.
As the clock ran down, it turned into a free-taking battle — and Lee Brennan was certainly on form for Trillick while under pressure. His late back-to-back spot kicks and another huge score from Donnelly ultimately sealed the victory.
Trillick's Simon Garrity opens up the second half of the Tyrone Senior Football Semi-Final with this superb goal! pic.twitter.com/03Ke70VQnY
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 5, 2020
Matthew Donnelly kicks a vital score for Trillick! pic.twitter.com/RkiwcKsg2e
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 5, 2020
The second-last four battle — which finished 0-19 to 2-12 — threw up some incredible drama, 23-year-old corner back Ciaran Barker winning it for Dungannon with a spectacular, last-gasp ’45 in extra-time.
0-6 a-piece at half-time in normal time, Errigal Ciaran looked like they’d push on after a goal from Odhran Robinson early in the second half. But they hit several uncharacteristic wides — some of those from county star Peter Harte — and Dungannon kept in touch, Patrick Quinn the man to send the game to extra time.
A tit-for-tat contest from there, Ciaran McGinley rattled the net eight minutes in to put Errigal into a three-point lead. But brilliant place-kicking from Paul Donaghy kept Dungannon in touch.
Kevin Barker eventually tied matters as the death neared, setting the stage for Ciaran Barker to land the famous victory for the Clarkes. Incredibly, this is their third consecutive championship showdown they’ve won after extra-time.
This was their first senior semi-final in 26 years, and the final against Trillick now comes as a repeat of the 2014 intermediate decider, which Dungannon won.
Dungannon's Ciaran Barker slots the ball over the bar to take his side through to the Tyrone Senior Football Final! pic.twitter.com/hFsp3Hzg7m
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 5, 2020
In Donegal, reigning champions Naomh Conaill remained on course in the senior football championship after a comfortable 2-16 to 0-5 quarter-final win over Glenfin this afternoon.
Charles McGuinness accounted for 1-5 of the hosts’ scores at Davy Brennan Memorial Park, though they were reduced to 14 men for most of the second half after Eoghan McGettigan was sent-off.
Kilcar join Naomh Conaill in the quarter-final line-up after their two-point win over St Michael’s this evening.
Daragh O’Donnell, Steven McBrearty and man-of-the-match Matthew McClean raised green flags for Kilcar, while Colm McFadden was St Michael’s scorer-in-chief with 1-6. Donegal star Paddy McBrearty and Eoin McHugh also kicked plenty of scores for the winners, ultimately cancelling out Michael Langan’s second-half brace.
Meanwhile, on the ladies football scene, Monaghan powerhouse Donaghmoyne secured a remarkable 18th consecutive senior football crown this afternoon. Farney inter-county star Cathriona McConnell and Louise Kerley combined for an incredible 6-13 as the 2015 and 2016 All-Ireland champions recorded a hefty win over Emyvale.
In Cavan, Lacken were crowned senior champions for the first time since 2014 after beating holders Crosserlough on a scoreline of 0-16 to 0-11. Roisin O’Keeffe was Lacken’s scoring star, accounting for 0-11 at Kingspan Breffni Park.
Tyrone SFC semi-finals
Trillick 2-13 Coalisland 1-12
Dungannon 0-19 Errigal Ciaran 2-12
Donegal SFC quarter-finals
Naomh Conaill 2-16 Glenfin 0-5
Kilcar 3-14 St Michael’s 3-12
Monaghan ladies SFC final
Donaghmoyne 6-21 Emyvale 0-1
Cavan ladies SFC final
Lacken 0-16 Crosserlough 0-11.
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