Nicely does it as Niall eases Dromore into final four

A TALLY of three points during the critical closing stages saw Tyrone star Niall Sludden ease Dromore into the final four of the Tyrone championship thanks to their win over Eglish.

The Red Hand All-Ireland winner was in tip-top form for the St Dympna’s. His scores all came as the tension mounted before the St Dympna’s progressed on a score of 0-14 to 1-9.

But he wasn’t the only one to impress for the boys in blue. Ryan McCusker, Peter Teague, Ciaran McCoy and top scorer, Emmett McNabb, also impressed as they came good when it mattered most.

A goal from Luke Donnelly for Eglish had kept them in contention, although they trailed by 0-6 to 1-2 at half-time. But there were periods in the second half where the St Patrick’s looked capable of causing a surprise as Seamus Muldoon, Conor McKenna and Matthew McGleenan all did well.

Late points from Niall Sludden and Eoin McCusker brought Dromore level, and they made no mistake in extra time. Quiick scores right at the start from Eoin McCusker and Niall Sludden edged them into a lead that they never relinquished.

In the second match of the afternoon, there was delight for Coalisland as they defeated Carrickmore by 0-10 to 0-9 at Galbally.

The St Colmcille’s will be bitterly disappointed by the outcome here, especially after a superb flourish at the end of the first half put them in pole position.

Jonathan Munroe, Sean Loughran and Daniel Fullerton all scored to leave them enjoying a good 0-6 to 0-2 advantage at the break.

But the Fianna came flying out at the start of the second half. Cormac O’Hagan, Peter Herron, Plunkett Kane and Stephen McNally were all to the fore for them. Points from Plunkett Kane and Cormac O’Hagan saw them go in front by the end of the third quarter to set up an exciting finale.

It was tight and uncompromising, as Brian Toner and Cormac O’Hagan for Coalisland and Ruairi Loughran and Caolan Daly for Carrickmore added scores.

However, it was Coalisland who held their nerve, with Cormac O’Hagan equalising for them, and then Tiarnan Quinn firing over the winner.