Donaghmore Minors are champs yet again

DONAGHMORE 1-15  COOKSTOWN 1-7

DONAGHMORE made history on Sunday afternoon in Killeeshil as they became the first Tyrone side to win three Grade One Minor Championship titles in a row as a dominant second half display was far too much for the spirited Cookstown side.

It was a contest that the holders never trailed in – but with 15 minutes to go, only one point remained between the sides.

In an entertaining contest, the experience of the St Patrick’s shone through, and in the final quarter, they outscored their opponents 0-8 to 0-1, like they had done in their semi-final win over Trillick, with Noah Grimes, Conor O’Neill and Caolan Quinn standing up at key stages of the tie.

Donaghmore got off to the perfect start, with the impressive Conor O’Neill driving forward and kicking a point in the opening minute.The Grade One champions dominated the opening 10 minutes, particularly around the middle of the field, and led by three points; Aodhan Molloy scoring twice with Ronan kicking the other.

It was Cookstown who created the first goal scoring chance of the match, as Donaghmore’s keeper made a brilliant save to deny Lorcan McMurray, with Michael McElhatton kicking the resulting 45.

The Fr Rocks side reduced the deficit to two points with Lorcan McMurray showing great pace and composure to kick a fine score. However, Donaghmore responded with the first goal of the match; a direct ball into the Cookstown square was fielded brilliantly by Conor O’Neill, who laid the ball off to Joey Kelly who turn kicked the ball to the back of the net.

Cookstown responded brilliantly, scoring a goal two minutes later, with Donaghmore keeper Conan McGarvey fouling the influential Micheal McElhatton who got up off the ground and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Cookstown would have the better of the second quarter on the scoresheet, Michael McElhatton and Lorcan McMurray both scoring points.
Donaghmore did regain the lead through a Conor O’Neill free, but a fantastic long-range score from Cookstown’s Michael Lennon meant it was level at half time at 1-5 apiece.

Donaghmore would have felt they should have been ahead missing, multiple free kicks and dominating around midfield especially. If not for courageous Fr Rocks defending, the tie may have been over at half time, with Charlie Hawker, Luke Neeson and Michael Lennon all impressing in defence for Cookstown.

The second half started off slowly, with both sides giving away the ball on multiple occasions. Donaghmore opened up a two point lead early in the second half through scores from Conor O’Neill and Noah Grimes.

Cookstown’s Conor Sheehy reduced the lead to a point with a fine score, but Donaghmore would show great resolve and go on to score eight of the next nine points.

Noah Grimes was particularly impressive in the second half scoring three points and winning multiply frees. Substitutes Ultan Quinn and Larry Shields both contributed greatly in the final quarter and kicked a point each.

Donaghmore showed why they have been the dominant side in Tyrone in this age group over the last number of years, as they didn’t concede a score in the final 20 minutes with ferocious tackling, and Ben Hughes and Joey Clarke impressing.

THE SCORERS
Donaghmore
Conor O’Neill (0-4, 2F), Noah Grimes (0-3, 1F), Joe Kelly (1-0), Aodhan Molloy (0-2), Ronan Molloy (0-1), Conall Heron (0-1), Caolan Quinn (0-1), Ultan Quinn (0-1), Larry Shields (0-1), Conan McGarvey (0-1).
Cookstown Michael McElhatton (1-1, 1F), Lorcan McMurray (0-3, 1F), Conall Sheehy (0-1), Michael Lennon (0-1).

THE TEAMS
Donaghmore
Conan McGarevey, Darragh O’Callaghan, Ben Hughes, Conall McGee, Rory McGee, Joey Clarke, Jude McNally, Conor O’Neill, Caolan Quinn, Joe Kelly, Noah Grimes, Conall Herron, Henry McQuaid, Ronan Molloy, Aodhan Molloy.

Cookstown
Sean Og Quinn, Dara Quinn, Darragh McHugh, Michael Lennon, Karl Wawrynkiewicz, Luke Neeson, Charlie Hawker, Ryan Nugent, Yasin Baba, Sean Devlin, Conall Sheeehy, Karol McGuigan, Keegan Hampsey, Lorcan McMurray, Michael McElhatton.

Referee: Stephen Campbell (Stewartstown)