Trillick Hold our For Tyrone Junior title win

Patrick Fahy and Co Solicitors Tyrone Ladies Junior Football Final

Trillick St Macartans 0-9

Edendork St Malachy’s 1-5

There was high drama at the death and history created too as Trillick claimed a first Tyrone ladies championship title, edging out a gallant Edendork by a single point at Greencastle in a hugely entertaining junior final. Blustery conditions on the night failed to dampen the enthusiasm of two sides that came to play football, in the end it was cool heads and the experience of Trillick that secured the Brenda Logue cup as Edendorks Emma Connolly had levelled things with a late late goal.

There was little between the side’s  throughout and just a point separated them at the break with the Reds under the guidance of former county star Brendan Donnelly having the slight edge, they did hit a raft wide’s too as Nuala Kelly and Fiona McCarney tried to get their range. The St Malachys defence putting in great performance, captain Eimear Mallon keeping Kelly scoreless.

To their credit the East Tyrone club got of to the best possible start when Meave Maxwell landed an early point and she kept her side very much in the tie as Trillick pressed into the lead through McCarney. Trillick could have went further in front too when they were awarded a penalty, McCarney’s spot kick though was well saved by Kelly Taggart.

Edendork, with late replacement Eireann Palmer and forwards Caoimhe Rafferty and Maxwell working hard to get the openings found Trillick hard to break down although Maxwell latched on further scores to leave them just a point shy of Trillick with Niamh O’Donnell adding to the Reds tally before the break.

Trillick added to the points haul as the second half swung back and forth but in the middle with Brenda Kelly and Ciara Brogan working hard and at the back with a solid defence Trillick racked up the pressure leaving little room for Edendork to break through, St Malachy’s who had been free scoring through the championship managed just a single point in almost thirty second half minutes as McCarney, O’Donnell and Cathy Donnelly scores saw Trillick lead 0-8 to 0-5 going into the final minutes.

There was to be a double sting in the tale of this decider and it was cruel too, Emma Connolly found    net with seconds to go, the sides level, Trillick pushed up the park and went for a winner and it came …a poor kick out was collected by the confident Fiona McCarney and the number  ten  landed the winner, game set and championship for the Reds, cue massive celebrations for Trillick and gut wrenching heartbreak for Edendork, they had given themselves a real chance only to see the rug pulled from under them.

On the balance of things, Trillick probably deserved the win, they created a lot and pressed with the experience especially near the end proving crucial.