Clarkes reel in County champions Loughmacrory to set up a replay

LOUGHMACRORY 1-19 DUNGANNON 4-10 IT was barely believable even though the action was happening right there in front of your eyes. Four goals in the final minutes of this first round clash on Saturday brought Dungannon back from the brink of defeat against the county champions, Loughmacrory. The St Teresa's appeared to be cruising to the quarter final thanks to some brilliant football throughout this clash. But suddenly, the Clarkes fought back when all seemed lost to record a draw in the most unlikely circumstances. What happened in those closing stages will no doubt be poured over by both teams as they prepare for this weekend's replay. Put simply, Loughmacrory were leading by six points when first Matthew Quinn, and then Leo Hughes, Patrick McKearney and finally Dalaigh Jones raced through for a quartet of brilliant goals which earned them a draw. Those magic moments further highlight why the Tyrone championship is ranked among the very best. No wonder, then, that fans of both teams and neutrals will be so eagerly anticipating the replay on Thursday night. Loughmacrory played with confidence and poise for the vast majority of this tie. There was no doubting the Lough's control during the opening stages. Points from Cathaoir Gallagher and Ruairi McCullagh settled them. Then Eoin Mceholm's shot for a point fell short before dipping into the net. Now the champions were 1-3 to no score ahead, and it was looking tough for the Clarkes. Little of what happened in the remainder of that first half changed the view that Loughmacrory were set for an emphatic win. Their ball control, tactical awareness and attacking were superior throughout the field. Dara Curran, Nathan Kelly, Shane Dobbs and Michael McNamee were calm and composed in defence, while Shea Conway and Cathal Donaghy dominated the midfield exchanges. But it was up front that they really excelled, Eoin McElholm, Cathaoir Gallagher and Gareth Donaghy were on top form. While James Morgan, Paul Donaghy and Leo Hughes pointed for the Clarkes, Loughmacrory threatened with each attack and were soon enjoying a strong advantage on the field and the scoreboard. Cathal Donaghy pointed twice, Eoin McElholm also raced through for a brace of scores. In the final 10 minutes of the opening period, the duo had hit three apiece and Loughmacrory were deserved leaders by 1-9 to 0-4. This was impressive from them, and the outlook was bleak for Dungannon. Nevertheless, the Clarkes kept plugging away. Patrick McKearney, Dalaigh Jones and Kevin Barker each worked hard. Matthew Quinn, Mark McKearney and Paul Donaghy were big targets in the attack. But they just weren't allowed to get the fluency which has been so characterised of their efforts since the glory year of 2020. Gradually, though, they chipped away. Suddenly there was light at the end of the tunnel for them. Paul Donaghy with three points, including a two-pointer, Matthew Quinn and Ciaran Barker all got on the scoresheet. Despite this, Loughmacrory remained on top, and points from Ronan Fox, Pauraic Meenagh and Gareth Donaghy maintained their lead. The scoreline of 1-13 to 0-9 – a seven point difference – with 10 minutes of normal time remaining – offered absolutely no indication of what was to follow. Then, there was just an inkling that this might not be over. Ciaran Barker's point left six between the teams. Moments later, Patrick McKearney set up Matthew Quinn who raced through before firing low and hard to the net. Three points now separated the teams, and there was time for more. Leo Hughes provided the finish from almost the next attack, hitting the net after finding and creating space for himself. But Loughmacrory looked to have the situation under control. A brace from Dara Curran and an Eoin McElholm point extended their lead again. They led by 1-15 to 2-10 at this stage. A black card for Paul Donaghy and then another Eoin McElholm score left them with a three point cushion as the tie moved into added time. Goal number three arrived moments later. On this occasion it was Patrick McKearney who ran through the centre before shooting low and hard to the net. Surely, that was that now. Once again, though, the county champions responded positively, as a two pointer for Ruairi McCullagh and a sublime Eoin McElholm point put them into a three point lead. The final whistle was agonisingly close for the holders. Still, it didn't arrive. As the clock ticked down its alloted added time, a Dungannon free was played to Dalaigh Jones. He sensed his chance, an unleashed a brilliant shot to the top corner. Next came the kick-out and, as Loughmacrory won possession in midfield, the referee called time. Suffice to say that the superlatives failed to do justice to what had been witnessed by those fortunate enough to see such a breathtaking finale. Scorers Loughmacrory: Eoin McElholm 1-6, Ruairi McCullagh 0-3 (1x2pt), Gareth Donaghy 0-3, Dara Curran 0-2, Cathaoir Gallagher 0-2, Pauraic Meenagh 0-1, Ronan Fox 0-1. Dungannon: Leo Hughes 1-2, Matthew Quinn 1-1, Paul Donaghy 1-4 (1x2pt, 1f), Dalaigh Jones 1-0, Patrick McKearney 1-0, Ciaran Barker 0-1, James Morgan 0-1. Teams Loughmacrory: Oisin O'Kane, Dara Curran, Nathan Kelly, Arnoldas Macilduskas, Shane Dobbs, Aodhan Donaghy, Michael McNamee, Shea Conway, Cathal Donaghy, Antoin Fox, Eoin McElholm, Cathaoir Gallagher, Pauraic Meenagh, Ruairi McCullagh, Gareth Donaghy. Subs: Ronan Fox for A Fox (34), Eoin Donaghy for S Conway (50), Pearse McDonald for P Meenagh (51), Enda Donaghy for C Gallagher (54), Dungannon: Patrick Molloy, Oisin Cowan, Darragh Skeffington, Conall Devlin, Patrick McKearney, Ciaran Barker, Dalaigh Jones, Padraig McNulty, Kevin Barker, Leo Hughes, Lorcan Mallon, Matthew Quinn, Mark McKearney, James Morgan, Paul Donaghy Subs:Conor Kennedy for P McNulty (33), Sean Cowan for J Morgan (48). Referee: Mark Loughran, Errigal Ciaran.