Connollys of Moy Tyrone SFC quarter-final replay
Errigal Ciaran v Clonoe (Saturday, Dungannon, 7pm)
CLONOE came close to causing the first shock in this year’s Connollys of Moy Tyrone SFC, and they remain hopeful that they can claim a big scalp.
They face title favourites and last year’s beaten finalists Errigal Ciaran in a quarter-final replay on Saturday at O’Neill Park.
The sides finished level on 2-9 each at the Dungannon venue last weekend, following a pulsating encounter.
Clonoe showed no fear of a star-studded opponent and made light of a couple of setbacks by twice responding to Errigal goals with goals of their own.
Darragh and Ruairí Canavan were well shackled in the drawn game, and the O’Rahillys will be looking for another solid defensive showing on Saturday.
But if the talented siblings can work their magic, Errigal could close down the challenge, with the added input of Peter Harte, Joe Oguz and Ben McDonnell.
Shane Hughes and Dwayne Quinn were defensive heroes for Clonoe last Sunday, and will relish a second opportunity, while Declan McClure, Danny McNulty, Daryl Magee and Connor McAliskey will once again carry the fight fearlessly.
Clonoe manager Kevin Madden insisted his players are not allowing themselves to be distracted by an impending relegation play-off.
“The destiny of the league position is in our own hands, but we’re not even thinking or talking about that at the minute – it’s purely focused on Errigal Ciaran on Saturday night,” he said.
“It’s been a challenging year from the perspective that the Tyrone league is just so competitive.
“We lost a number of games by a point, we were so, so unlucky at different stages in games, while we had some great wins along the way.
“But Clonoe people are realistic, they were relegated a couple of years ago, came back up last year. They knew it wasn’t going to be easy this year.”
Former Antrim star Madden is enjoying the drama of the unique straight knock-out format of the Tyrone championship.
“It’s hard to beat the one chance at it, and that’s what the Tyrone Championship brings. It’s a championship like no other.”
The winners of this evening’s rematch are back in action next weekend in a last-four clash with Killyclogher, who defeated Carrickmore in a replay on Thursday.
