Late flourish sees Carmen outlast Loughmacrory

Carrickmore 0-12

Loughmacrory 0-5

LATE points ensured that it was Carrickmore who maintained their challenge at the top of Division One with an important derby victory over their parish rivals on Sunday afternoon.

It’s a win which means the St Colmcille’s are still very much in the hunt for the title. The introduction of Conor Gormley and Mark Donnelly was significant for them, as they finished in a flourish thanks to the efforts of Lorcan McGarrity, Daniel Fullerton, Rory Loughran and top scorer, Ciaran Daly.

Loughmacrory entered the tie hoping to record a first ever win against Carmen in senior football. But their challenge faded during the last quarter and they will be disappointed at failing to make better use of their possession throughout an entertaining tie.

A bumper attendance relished the early throw-in for the tie. Bragging rights combined with the incentive of maintaining the challenge for Division One honours ensured that there was no shortage of determination and commitment from the two teams.

Loughmacrory, who topped the table just a few weeks ago, were seeking their first ever win over their neighbours. They dominated the possession for much of that first half, but a failure to create and take scoring opportunities undermined their efforts.

Aidan Donaghy came close to grabbing a goal for them during the opening stages. His shot went just wide, before he made amends moments later by firing them into the lead. It was a boost which settled the St Teresa’s, and they proceeded to take control in terms of possession.

Time and again, Nathan Kelly, Pearse Grimes, Dara Curran and Antoin Fox tried to find openings in the Carrickmore defence.

However, as that first quarter progressed, it was clear that this was going to be a battle of the respective defences.

The St Colmcille’s opened their account courtesy of Rory Donnelly. Minutes later Ciaran Daly edged them ahead. The efforts of Lorcan McBride, Brendan McLaughlin and Cormac and Jonathan Munroe ensured that they were more incisive in attack, although the massed Loughmacrory rearguard prevented the home team from taking full advantage.

Scores were at a premium as a result. It was 0-2 each at the end of the first quarter when Arnold Macidulskas fired over a great point after good work from Stephen Grimes. The tempo of the tie was impressive and there was no shortage of commitment and determination.

Swapped points between Ciaran Daly and Loughmacrory goalkeeper, Oisin O’Kane, brought the teams level at 0-3 each approaching the interval.

However, Carrickmore’s ability to counter-attack at speed ensured that it was them who finished the half in a flourish.

First good approach work from Lorcan McBride brought the foul, with Ciaran Daly converting the free. Then a fine attack culminated in James Donaghy registering a point to leave them 0-5 to 0-3 ahead at half-time.

Hopes were high that the second half would prove to be more open. The initial signs from a Loughmacrory viewpoint were positive as they deployed a more direct style. Pauric Meenagh reduced the deficit to the minimum again, and the stage was set for the clash to become more exciting.

But it was then that Carrickmore began to take the control that ultimately saw them victorious. The introduction of Conor Gormley and Mark Donnelly steadied them and the two experienced players were soon having a positive influence on the younger members of the team around them.

A Lorcan McGarrity point increased their lead, as Loughmacrory once again struggled to make inroads up front. The task facing the visitors was clear when another attack by them was intercepted and the St Colmcille’s broke thanks to Lorcan McGarrity whose run finished with him setting up Ciaran Daly.

Now the pressure was on the St Teresa’s to respond. Pearse Grimes, Antoin Fox and the impressive Eoin Mullan worked hard to try and break through. A point from Stephen Grimes left two between them again, and the stage was set for an intriguing finale.

But the close finish that many were anticipating never materialised. Instead, it was Carrickmore who upped the tempo during that final quarter.

Their patience at the back was rewarded as Sean Loughran, Ruairi Slane and Lorcan McBride broke forward at speed. In addition, the efforts of Mark Donnelly, Conor Gormley, Daniel Fullerton and Lorcan McGarrity ensured that the dividends were soon being yielded on the scoreboard as well.

Good work from Mark Donnelly and Lorcan McBride set up Ruairi Slane for a well-taken point. Then, Mark Donnelly and Ruairi Loughran were involved in a move which saw Daniel Fullerton fire over. That left them 0-9 to 0-5 ahead, and they weren’t finished yet.

The closing minutes saw Ciaran Daly register another free, Ruairi Slane raced forward to make it 0-11 to 0-5 and then Daly again made doubly sure when he took a pass from Conor Gormley to complete the scoring and an important victory for Carmen.