Trillick advance to Ulster Semi as Brackaville & Edendork miss out

Trillick 2-9 Naomh Conaill 1-11
Edendork 2-5 Loughinisland 1-13
Brackaville 1-9 Faughanvale 1-10
Report from gaa.ie
ULSTER CLUB SFC QUARTER-FINAL: TRILLICK 2-9 NAOMH CONAILL 1-11
Tyrone champions Trillick held off a strong second half fightback from 14-man Donegal champions Naomh Conaill at Ballybofey to move into the semi-finals of the Ulster Senior Club Championship.
Trillick had been six clear at half-time and seemingly unassailable, but Naomh Conaill hit the net early in the second half and almost caught the victors in the dying stages.
Trillick made a strong start and had the ball in the net early on when Niall Gormley reacted quickest to a Lee Brennan free which came off the post.
Glenties outfit Naomh Conaill were reduced to 14 men after just 11 minutes when county senior Anthony Thompson received a straight red card after an entanglement with Pronsias O’Kane. That blow was exacerbated when Naomh Conaill talisman Dermot Molloy was forced off injured minutes later.
Still, points from Brendan McDyre and John O’Malley (free) gave Naomh Conaill some respite mid way through the half before points from Tyrone county players Brennan and Mattie Donnelly extended the Trillick lead to three as half-time neared.
Then, Daire Gallagher finished to the net after a sweeping Trillick move on the stroke of half-time to leave them 2-4 to 0-4 ahead at the interval.
Dara Gallagher, of the Donegal side, and Johnny McLoone traded points with Brennan (2) early in the second half before Naomh Conaill forced their way back into the game with a superb individual goal by Ciarán Thompson on 37 minutes.
The goal, which came via a powerful drive after a mazy run, left just three between the sides and when it was followed by points from Naomh Conaill duo McDyre and Gallagher (free), there was suddenly just one in it and Trillick were in trouble.
Niall Gormley eased their nerves with a point but two quick-fire frees from Gallagher brought the sides level as the game entered the final 10 minutes, 2-7 to 1-10.
Trillick points from Brennan (free) and Richard Donnelly restored the two point lead and although a late Gallagher free gave Naomh Conaill hope in the dying minutes, the Donegal side ultimately missed their chance.
In stoppage time, Gallagher had an excellent chance to level from a free, but the shot sailed side and Trilick held on to advance by the minimum.
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Scorers for Trillick: Niall Gormley 1-2, Lee Brennan 0-4 (2f), Daire Gallagher 1-0, Richard Donnelly 0-2, Mattie Donnelly 0-1
Scorers for Naomh Conaill: Daire Gallagher 0-5 (3f), Ciaran Thompson 1-0, Johnny McLoone 0-2, John O’Malley 0-1 (1f), Brendan McDyer 0-1 (1f), Dermot Molloy 0-1 (1f), Leon Thompson 0-1
TRILLICK: Joe Maguire; Stephen O’Donnell, Ruairí Kelly, Damien Kelly; Niall Donnelly, Rory Brennan, Daniel McDonnell; Richard Donnelly, Eoin Gormley; Matthew Donnelly, Prionsias O’Kane, Sean Kelly; Niall Gormley, Lee Brennan, Daire Gallagher.
NAOMH CONAILL: Stephen McGrath; Aaron Thompson, AJ Gallagher, Kevin McGettigan; Marty Boyle, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide; Ciaran Thompson, Leo McLoone; Ethan O’Donnell, Eunan Doherty, John O’Malley; Brendan McDyer, Dermot Molloy, Leon Thompson. Subs: Cathal Ellis for D Molloy (15), Johnny McLoone for O’Donnell (19); Dara Gallagher for AJ Gallagher (half time); Seamus Corcoran for O’Malley (53); Ethan O’Donnell for McDyer (53), Brendan McDyer for Doherty (58).
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