Ulster JFC final:
Rock (Tyrone) 1-12 Blackhill (Monaghan) 0-14 (aet)
ROCK made history as the first club to win three Ulster Club JFC titles, but they had to draw on all their reserves of passion and experience to edge out Monaghan opponents Blackhill in Sunday’s gripping decider at Páirc Esler.
Aidan McGarrity’s brilliant goal early in extra-time was a score worthy of winning any title and it was the difference in the end as the Tyrone men once again got their hands on the Paul Kerr Cup. The sides were level on seven occasions in normal-time, but it was a 1-1 salvo from McGarrity early in the added period that swung it for St Patrick’s.
Colin Woods struck five quality points for the Farney men and they had highly effective performers in Dermot Daly, Donal Courtney and Ryan Courtney, but Rock’s desire for another prize with which to adorn their centenary celebrations was greater.
Manager Adrian Nugent felt it was all about taking the chances when they arose, particularly McGarrity’s crucial goal: “The goal was a big one and it showed the inner belief within the squad that, if something doesn't work first time, then keep trying," he said.
"We have talked about taking chances throughout year and the importance of every player taking a shot.”
Late in the game, treble All-Ireland winner Ciaran Gourley saved the day with a heroic block to deny Woods: “Ciaran Gourley has three All-Ireland medals for Tyrone and, now, three Ulster club medals, yet he still has that drive. He pulled off a great block by diving at his foot,” added Nugent.
“That desire to leave everything out there made the difference and there was that bit of desire.
Rock started brightly with a point from midfielder Diarmuid Carroll, but Blackhill soon got a well-organised defensive system in place, getting the key match-ups spot on. Ryan Courtney picked up McGarrity, restricting the influence of Rock’s top-scorer, while Donal Courtney rose magnificently to the challenge of curbing the creativity of Conor McCreesh.
And with wing-backs James Daly and Tommy Geehan pushing forward at every opportunity, the Monaghan men carried a serious threat on the counter-attack. James Daly and Dermot Daly hit the target, while Hugh Byrne’s ball-winning ability was a useful asset and he swung over a 20th minute point to bring the sides level for the third time after McGarrity had got away from his marker for a point from play.
Colin Woods gave Blackhill the lead for the first time in the 27th minute and they carried a 0-5 to 0-4 lead into the interval. McCreesh moved to full-forward and was a man transformed in the second-half, winning ball and kicking points from frees and play as Rock eased a couple of points ahead by the end of the opening-quarter.
The experience of Ciaran Gourley and substitute Aidan Girvan helped them dominate, but a succession of wides prevented them from opening out a lead of any substance. Blackhill were restricted to raids on the breakaway, but managed to go level through Ciaran Courtney 10 minutes from the end.
McCreesh and McGarrity steered over frees to give the Rock a two-point advantage as the game slipped into six minutes of stoppage-time. The Monaghan men displayed composure to work the scores that rescued them, corner-back Aaron Kenny on target before Dermot Daly converted a free to make it 0-9 to 0-9 in the sixth added minute.
But McGarrrity smashed home a terrific goal in the second minute of additional-time, with midfield colossus Diarmuid Carroll also on target as they moved 1-12 to 0-11 ahead midway through. That four-point cushion was to prove just enough, as the Monaghan men responded with the only three points of the second period, from Woods, Tommy Grehan and Anthony Courtney, but they fell short.
MATCH STATS
Rock: S Donaghy, P Ward, N Mullan, N McWilliams, C McWilliams, S Mullan, C Gourley, D Carroll, E McWilliams, T Bloomer, E Ward, C McCreesh, R Crilly, AMcGarrity, P Ward; Subs: A Girvan for E Ward (h-t), P Ward for N Mullan (51, BC), E Ward for P Ward (55)
Blackhill: M Shevlin, A Kenny, D Courtney, T Courtney, T Geehan, R Courtney, J Daly, A Courtney, D Daly, H Byrne, P Donnelly, C Courtney, M Geehan, D Woods, C Woods; Subs: P Murphy for M Geehan (31), A Burns for D Woods (46), E Byrne for C Courtney (55), M Comiskey for Murphy (31), S Courtney (61), D Woods for Comiskey (71), T Forde for Kenny (BC, 72)
Referee: D Mullan (Derry)
