ERRIGAL Ciarán have won their first Ulster title in 22 years after a one-point victory over Kilcoo at the Athletic Grounds.
The two sides cancelled each other out in the first half, with Errigal Ciarán opening the scoring with a goal from Joe Oguz but Kilcoo fighting back to level things at the half.
After the break, Kilcoo seemed to be the side that was in better shape to win it, until they lost a pillar of their defence Darryl Branagan to a red card.
After that, Errigal Ciarán appeared to take hold of the game with Peter Óg McCartan sending over the crucial score to win it for the Ballygawley outfit.
Kilcoo and Errigal Ciarán overcame huge challenges to face off for the Seamus McFerran Cup.
Kilcoo breezed through the Down championship with relative ease to claim their sixth senior county title in a row and took down Ulster debutants Crosserlough before shocking Scotstown by scoring five goals to bury Monaghan’s finest.
- Errigal Ciaran’s quandary is how much they bend to Kilcoo’s willOpens in new window
- They were the days of Peter and Pascal, dead legs and fighting hearts, Mickey Harte as manager, double Houdini acts against the mighty Crossmaglen Rangers, beating the reigning All-Ireland champions... Just to get to the finalOpens in new window
Errigal Ciarán have been experiencing a season of revival with two Canavans at the mast for the Tyrone champions.
They beat last year’s county champions Trillick in the final to book a place in Ulster after missing out in 2023.
After managing a tight win against St Eunan’s in round one, they swept past Cargin in the last eight before shading their semi-final against Clann Eireann after a masterclass by the Canavan brothers, Darragh and Ruairí.
The two sons of Errigal and Tyrone legend Peter Canavan have been the focal point of their club’s devastating attack this season, scoring 21 points in total in the provincial series.
Ruairí has had a season to remember so far, scoring 16 points and scoring as many from play as from deadballs.
- They were the days of Peter and Pascal, dead legs and fighting hearts, Mickey Harte as manager, double Houdini acts against the mighty Crossmaglen Rangers, beating the reigning All-Ireland champions... Just to get to the finalOpens in new window
- “You think: ‘Oh, am I ever going to come back here?’” Tyrone All-Ireland winner Niall Kelly battles back from the brink as Errigal Ciaran take on Kilcoo in Ulster Championship deciderOpens in new window
- Errigal’s Ulster triumphs have ‘probably inspired us down through the years’: Tommy CanavanOpens in new window
They met their match in Kilcoo though as the Down champions' defence limited the impact Ruairí and Darragh had on the scoreboard but weren’t able to stop their opponent’s other weapons