Added time winner seals Aghyaran victory over Moy

AGHYARAN 1-16 MOY 1-15 THERE was added drama in the final moments of this replayed Intermediate first round clash when Diarmuid McHugh emerged as the hero for Aghyaran when his point deep in added time clinched them a victory over Moy and a place in the quarter finals. All seemed set for added time and perhaps even penalties as both teams traded scores during the closing moments. But it was the St Davog's who held their nerve to go through by the minimum margin. Now they'll be relishing a north-Tyrone derby against the league champions from Naomh Eoghan in the last eight. It promises to be an intriguing encounter, and one that Aghyaran will relish as they celebrate their 70th anniversary year. The evidence presented here suggests that they will be formidable opponents, and they will certainly not fear a team which has already secured senior rank status for 2027 thanks to their league-title triumph. The manner in which they held on against the Moy is also leaving Aghyaran in optimistic form. Control switched fairly dramatically between the two teams during an entertaining and lively opening period. Just one point separated the teams at the interval following a half brimming with excitement. Moy gained the initial upper hand here as they flew out of the blocks in the first minutes. Declan and Michael Conroy, Ryan Coleman and Ryan McAlary were all to the fore as they consolidated their early enthusiasm on the scoreboard. Four points in quick succession settled them. Ryan Coleman fired over after only 15 seconds, and then Declan Conroy and Patrick McGeary also added scores as a free from Michael Conroy boosted their advantage. This was impressive from the Tir Na nOg as Aghyaran's best efforts at responding fell short. Of course, there was plenty of time remaining and the St Davog's soon settled. While their attacks were laboured initially against a tightly packed Moy defence, the probing passes by Barry McMenamin, Thomas Dolan, Tiarnan McSorley and Brian Penrose eventually yielded the desired dividend. Brian Penrose opened the scoring for them, but they still trailed at the end of the first quarter. Ryan Coleman made the score 0-5 to 0-1 in favour of Moy, before the north Tyrone side suddenly sprang to life. They scored 1-4 in a row during the next six minutes to take control. Barry McMenamin and Eoghan McHugh scored, a brilliant Benny Gallen two-pointer added further to their total and a fortuitous goal arrived in the 19th minute. It saw Ethan McHugh race through, his shot was blocked before somehow rebounding into the net. Aghyaran were ahead for the first time, and the tie continued to ebb and flow. Moy battled back and a two-pointer from Ryan Coleman was sandwiched between scores courtesy of Ryan McAlary and Michael Conroy. Niall Hilley pulled off a great point blank save from Michael Conroy, as an Eoghan McHugh two-pointer edged them ahead by 1-7 to 0-9 at half-time. There were sporadic heated exchanges, including as the teams left the field at the break, to whet the appetite for the growing attendance on the resumption. Scores were at a premium in that second half, despite a host of chances for both teams. Ryan Coleman briefly brought the teams level, but Ethan McHugh's two pointer restored the Aghyaran advantage. From then on, though, neither team could break the deadlock as chance after chance went abegging. The best of them fell to Ryan McAlary who raced through to find himself one on one with the goalkeeper. It was Niall Hilley who proved equal to the task with another fine save. His efforts reflected the defence in front of him as Caolan McGinty, Cormac McHugh and Jack Gallagher produced a number of important turnovers. At the other end they appeared to be struggling to create clear-cut chances. Despite the best efforts of Diarmuid and Eoghan McHugh and Brian Penrose, a couple of wides proved frustrating. But things improved again when Benny Gallen registered a big two-pointer and suddenly the gap was out to three. Perhaps, though, this tie was always destined for a close finish, and there was soon another twist. This time Ryan McAlary collected possession from Michael Conroy and fired past Niall Hilley. The teams were now level at 1-11 apiece and the stage was set. First, Aghyaran edged their way ahead again. On two occasions, scores courtesy of Ronan McHugh and Benny Gallen left them 1-14 to 1-12 ahead. Each time, though, they were pegged back. Michael Conroy's two-pointer left them level, and extra time beckoned. Points were swapped between Benny Gallen and Patrick Lavery. Then, up popped Diarmuid McHugh with that winning point to secure their place in the last eight. Scorers Aghyaran: Benny Gallen 0-6 (2x2pt, 1f), Eoghan McHugh 0-5 (2x2pt), Ethan McHugh 1-0, Ronan McHugh 0-2 (1x2pt), Diarmuid Byrne 0-1, Brian Penrose 0-1. Moy: Michael Conroy 0-6 (3f), 1x2pt), Ryan Coleman 0-5 (1x2pt, 1f), Ryan McAlary 1-1, Declan Conroy 0-1, Patrick Lavery 0-1. Teams Aghyaran: Niall Hilley, Jack Gallagher, Caolan McGinty, Kevin Penrose, Barry McMenamin, Cormac McHugh, Thomas Dolan, Tiarnan McSorley, Ciaran McGlinchey, Brian Penrose, Diarmuid McHugh, Eoghan McHugh, Ethan McHugh, Benny Gallen, Ronan McHugh. Subs: Alex Dolan for B McMenamin (43), Ronan McNamee for K Penrose (52), Moy: Shane Mackle, Eunan Deeeney, Adam Donaghy, Ronan O'Hanlon, Diarmuid McKeown, Steve Donaghy, Mark Gribbin, Declan Conroy, Jamie Coleman, Matas Rumsevicius, Ryan Coleman, Patrick McGeary, Ryan McAlary, Michael Conroy, Cathaoir Hughes. Subs: Caolan Corr for Ptk McGeary (half-time), Patrick Lavery for R O'Hanlon (40), Eoghan McGlone for R McAlary (54), Diarmuid Quinn for J Coleman (54), Matthew Laverty for M Rumsevicius (55). Referee: Mark O'Neill, Cookstown