Trillick prevail in Tyrone as holders' curse continues

Trillick 1-13 Errigal Ciaran 0-13 (aet)

The curse of the Tyrone champions struck again at Omagh as holders Errigal Ciaran were dethroned, and it's now 18 years since any club has managed to retain the O’Neill Cup.

Trillick triumphed with a mix of class, tactical nous and courage to claim their ninth title in an extra-time thriller.

They arguably should have won it in normal time, but a ferocious Errigal comeback saw them tie it up with three stoppage time points to draw level.

But with Rory Brennan and Richie Donnelly playing heroic roles, the Reds got the job done down the extra stretch.

Trillick’s defensive approach served them well in a highly tactical opening, as they broke at pace from their 15-man cover to pick off the points for a 0-03 to 0-01 lead in a low-scoring opening quarter.

James Garrity and Ciaran Daly hit the target, and while both defences were disciplined in their approach, avoiding the concession of scoreable frees, Lee Brennan’s famed left boot is capable of wonderful things, and he sent a 47 metre placed ball sailing between the posts.

Errigal pressed the Trillick kick-out, winning possession for Joe Oguz to power through for their only point of the opening 20 minutes, but two in the space of 30 seconds, from Mark Kavanagh and Cormac Quinn, brought them level.

However, the Reds had their match-ups spot-on, with Daniel Donnelly and Daire Gallagher keeping the Canavan brothers, Ruairi and Darragh, relatively quiet.

And with Rory Brennan a colossus at the heart of their defence, Trillick stood firm, and finished the first half with a massive boost.

James Garrity created the opening, and when Daley Tunney’s shot was half-blocked, Daly picked up the loose ball to send a low angled shot past 'keeper Darragh