Gaelic Games: Trillick defeat Errigal Ciaran in the Tyrone Senior Football Championship

Errigal Ciaran’s reign as Tyrone and Ulster champions is over as Trillick scored a 1-13 to 1-11 semi-final win in Omagh.

The St Macartan’s men lost in last year’s county final to an Errigal Ciaran side that went all the way to the All-Ireland decider, but they turned the tables in their bid to regain the O’Neill Cup they last held in 2023.

Mattie Donnelly was on target twice to help Trillick into an early lead but after Darragh Canavan and Peter Harte pointed for Errigal either side of a Seanie O’Donnell score, the defending champions found the net through Ruairi Canavan.

That goal was the difference when Trillick were awarded a penalty that was tucked away by James Garrity and aided by scores from Simon Garrity, Peter McCaughey, James Garrity and Liam Gray, they held a 1-8 to 1-5 lead at the half.

Errigal Ciaran quickly wiped the advantage out early in the second half with the Darragh and Tommy Canavan, plus Tiarnan Colhoun finding their range.

It remained close heading down the stretch with the sides level, but late points from Daire Gallagher and James Garrity secured victory for Trillick.

Their final opponents are yet to be determined as Carrickmore and Loughmacrory will have to do it all again following their 0-19 to 1-16 draw in Pomeroy.

This meeting of neighbours got off to an even start with Eoin McElholm kicking early scores for Loughmacrory and his early brace was the difference when Tiarnan Loughran hit back with a Carrickmore goal in the 18th minute.

However, two-pointers from Cathal Donaghy and Arnoldas Macidulskas helped Loughmacrory into a 0-11 to 1-5 lead at the break.

They were first to register in the second period, but Carrickmore replied with Ruairi Loughran’s point followed by a two-pointer by Tiarnan Loughran.

Just as Loughmacrory looked to open a gap, Carrickmore hit back with Ruairi Loughran and Lorcan McGarrity nailing two-pointers to level and set up a tense finish.

Another two from McGarrity seemed to put Carrickmore in position for the win, but Loughmacrory replied with Pauraic Meenagh kicking the equaliser from a free to force a replay.