Sigersons get off to successful start against Derrytresk

Strabane 1-13  Derrytresk 1-9

STRABANE Sigersons opened their 2024 Tyrone All County League Division 3 campaign on Sunday afternoon by welcoming Lough Shore side Derrytresk to Páirc Mhic Sioghair.

Following a tough fought affair, it was the home side who claimed the opening points of the season with Derrytresk putting it up to a youthful Sigersons side.

Derrytresk began spritely scoring two early points via Niall Gavin and Odhran Hughes from a free kick. Strabane opened their account via an Oran McGrath free kick with Conal Crawford levelling the contest with a point from play.

Oran McGrath again from a free kick gave Strabane their first lead and this was increased with a good point from play via Haydn McNamee.

The sides then traded scores with Eoin McNally for the visitors and Conal Crawford and Haydn McNamee increasing the Sigersons lead both scoring points from play.

Derrytresk were denied a goal on twenty minutes with Eoin Haire making a fine stop from an Eoin McNally effort.

Strabane then pulled away scoring three quick points, two from free kicks via the accurate Oran McGrath with Kelvin Nelson also finding the target.

With the interval looming, Derrytresk reduced the deficit to just three points with Caolan Corr sending over two quick fire points from free kicks and left it all to play for in the second half.

The start of the second half saw Derrytresk reduce the arrears to two with Conor Fitzgerald sending over an early point. Strabane responded with another Oran McGrath free kick, but this was quickly cancelled out with Eoin McNally on target for the visitors.

Strabane then hit a fine five-minute spell which effectively sealed the game for them. Kelvin Nelson sent over a fine point from play with Oran McGrath landing his sixth point from a dead ball situation and with ten minutes left on the clock Strabane finally found the net with the industrious Haydn McNamee latching onto a pin point pas via Oisin McGillion and planted the ball in the Derrytresk net.

Oran McGrath landed a further point from a free kick to leave Strabane eight points ahead but to their credit the dogged Derrytresk men refused to throw in the towel with Niall Gavin scoring a point from a free kick and with five minutes to go he hit a fine goal to ensure that the closing minutes would be tense.

As it transpired, Strabane had done enough to hold out for a deserved, yet hard fought victory and they knew that they were in a contest right until the final whistle. Life back in Junior level will be tough for this young Sigersons side who have loads to learn.