Omagh Devs 4-5

Clan na nGael 2-10

A captain’s point from Niall Quinn one minute from the end in normal time secured Omagh U16 ‘Devs’ victory in the Championship Semi Final against a highly fancied Clan na Gael team. Quinn’s point put Omagh in the lead after being 4 points down with 5 minutes remaining.

Clan na Gael got off to the better start and after 15 mins they were leading 0-4 to 0-2. Omagh’s scorers were Pascal Pearson & Kyle Mallon. Then followed Omagh’s first goal with a neat finish by Niall McCaffrey. A second goal soon after by Nathan McBride put Omagh ahead on a scoreline 2-02 to 0-4. However, Clan na Gael responded with 1-01 to level the scores. Both defences were on top as half time approached only for McCaffrey to score his second goal to put Omagh up by 2 points at the break (3-02 to 1-06).

Second half resumed with Clan na Gael dominating as they recorded the first three points to go a point in front. Nathan McBride soon equalised with the scores locked at 3-03 to 1-09. Omagh’s defence was holding firm against the constant attacks from Clan na Gael. However, with 10 mins remaining Clan na Gael got in for a goal which was followed by a point. At this stage Omagh were 4 points down (3-03 to 2-10). Then the fightback began with every man playing his part. Niall McCaffrey reduced the deficit to 3 points with a free then came the score of the game. Omagh won a free on the 20 metre line and up came Niall Taggart from half back to smash a quickly hit free into the top scorer. Game on now with scores level 4-04 to 2-10.

The action ebbed and flowed from end to end with both teams missing chances. Then came the winning score. A long free from Pascal Pearson was broken down by Oisin Kerlin and gathered by Niall Quinn. With his back to goal, Quinn got himself turned and kicked a superb point to put Omagh 1 up. Then followed 4 ‘injury time’ minutes of high drama in which Clan na Gael had their chances but were repelled by heroic Omagh defence.

Next up for Omagh is a Championship Final date against Castlederg who have already secured the Grade 4 league title after defeating Clan na Gael on a scoreline of 6-10 to 1-10.

Well done ‘Devs’. An Omaigh abu!!

Scorers: Niall McCaffrey (2-1); Nathan McBride (1-1); Pascal Pearson (0-1); Kyle Mallon (0-1); Niall Quinn (0-1)

Team: Aaron O’Kane, Matty Haughey, Dylan Taylor, Ryan Kelly, Steven McGurn, Niall Taggart, Kyle Mallon, Oisin Kerlin, Pascal Pearson, Niall Quinn (Capt), Chris O‘Donnell, Niall McCaffrey, Nathan McBride

Subs: Conor Molloy (C O’Donnell), Pauric O’Neill (R Kelly), Tiernan Doody, Colm Mullan, Patrick Bradley, Eamon Clarke, James McGirr, Peadar Quinn, Shea Reid, Ronan Clarke, Keelium Lagan, Oran McGoldrick, Michael Keaveney