Errigal expected a tough Omagh test, insists joint manager

SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL

By Niall Gartland

Defending County senior champions Errigal Ciaran are still standing after an enthralling contest with Omagh St Enda’s on Saturday afternoon, but their joint-manager Stephen Quinn acknowledged that there’s plenty of work to do if they’re to retain their title.

St Enda’s trailed by a single, solitary point as the clock ticked into injury time after a gutsy second-half showing, but Errigal Ciaran weren’t to be denied: Shea McDermott, still only a teenager we might add, pounced for a game-winning goal and they find themselves in the semi-finals of the championship for the seventh year in a row.

Speaking in the direct aftermath of their nail-biting win, Quinn said: “When we left Dunmoyle today, the objective was to be in the semi-finals and we’ve achieved that. We’ve a lot to work on – we wouldn’t be happy with a lot of our play in both halves.

“Credit to Omagh as well, they were very good. Omagh are an experienced championship team, they’re littered with championship winners, and you know every year in the Championship against Omagh, what you’re going to get. They delivered it on the field today and thankfully our boys came through. All we achieved today was making a semi-final and we have to be pleased from that perspective.”

Errigal Ciaran have been accustomed to producing the goods in the clutch moments. Last year’s run to Croke Park was characterised by dramatic late winners (Peter Óg McCartan’s moment of history in the Ulster final, Peter Harte’s spectacular late point against Killyclogher in the Tyrone SFC semi-final etc) but Quinn wished they made it easier for themselves.

“I don’t know, we seem to find ourselves in a lot of these situations, and it’s not by design! The boys did well, there’s lads who showed their experience and then Shea took the goal well. It was a good move and thankfully he finished it, and that gave us a wee bit of a cushion to see the game out.”

On the eve of the match, close rivals Trillick survived a massive scare against Pomeroy in another gripping quarter-final tie, and Quinn acknowledged that there are very few certainties in Tyrone Championship football.

“You’ll not see a walkover at this level. They’re all good teams, they all plan well, they all expect to win. That’s what makes the Championship what it is, its knock-nature.

“It’s cut-throat and it’s about keeping yourself in the game and in the championship and we’re happy to be still in it.

“As I say, it was our objective to objective when we left Dunmoyle to be still standing at the end of the game, and we’re still standing, so that’s job done for today.”

Errigal will now face Trillick in the semi-final on Sunday October 12th at Healy Park, a repeat of the past two finals.