Carrickmore strike late in titanic tussle with Loughmacrory

Carrickmore 0-10

Loughmacrory 0-9

An outstanding free from Carrickmore goalkeeper Jack McCallan with the last kick of the game sent his side into the semi-finals of the Tyrone Senior Championship.

His late, late winner sparked euphoric scenes among the Carrickmore dugout, and unsurprisingly so given how much was at stake against their parish rivals Loughmacrory.

Heading into the home straight, Loughmacrory had the bit between their teeth, scoring four of the game’s final six points. However, Carrickmore kept their composure and two massive frees – the first from teenager Lorcan McGarrity, the second from their match-winning goalkeeper Jack McCallan – ensured that the favourites advanced to a last-four clash with Clonoe next weekend.

Carrickmore started the game strongly, opening up a two-point lead in a matter of minutes, but Loughmacrory came out of their shell and landed good scores from Pauric Meenagh, Oisin O’Kane and Cathair Gallagher. However, Carrickmore proved more efficient in front of the posts in the first-half and held a narrow 0-6 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Carmen’s defence was superb for most of the second-half, and points from Martin Penrose,  Aidy Fullerton and Ruairi Slane saw them open up a 0-8 to 0-4 lead heading into the final quarter.

But Loughmacrory are a dogged, resilient side and they had some outstanding performers in the likes of midfield partners Aodhan and Cathal Donaghy. They gave it absolutely everything with their championship hopes on the line, and extra-time looked an inevitabiliy until Jack McCallan stepped up and ended their championship dreams for another year. Credit to both sides on an enthralling contest, but it’s Carmen who live to fight another day.