 Kevin Gallagher of Omagh comes under pressure from Gerard McCartan |
St Louis, Kilkeel, staged a determined comeback to draw 0-13 to 2-07 and force a replay against Omagh CBS in the MacRory Cup final at Casement Park. The Kilkeel boys were six points down when Stephen Donaghy got Omagh's second goal with a quickly-taken free.
But the St Louis, playing in their first final, hit six unanswered points to set up a tense finale.
Omagh, scenting their second MacRory triumph, edged ahead again but skipper James Colgan levelled late on.
The replay has been fixed for Satuday 26 March.
"We let them back into it, something we are disappointed about," said Omagh CBS coach Kieran Donnelly.
"It was a good game of football but there is a lot we can work on."
St Louis coach Cathal Murray said they were delighted to get another crack.
"We let Omagh get away a bit and nearly paid the price," said Murray.
"The boys showed great heart and determination and they are going to need those qualities to win the next time.
 Richard Annett of St Louis challenges Omagh's Brendan Martin |
"They were exciting at times and raised their game in the second half when they needed to."
Omagh edged ahead in the early stages with Stephen Donaghy and Conor O'Donnell pointing and Joe Ireland replying for Kilkeel.
Then came the first goal, a penalty scored by Ronan McRory after a pushing offence by David Morgan.
Richard Annett, Martin Clarke and James Colgan got further points for Kilkeel with McRory (2) and O'Donnell registering for Omagh who led 1-05 to 0-04 at half-time.
St Louis star Clarke got the first point after the interval, making room for a fine left-foot score.
But then Omagh got the second goal when Donaghy shot in a quick free before Kilkeel got their defence organised.
That looked like a knock-out blow but points from Peter Fitzpatrick, Fergal Doyle, Clarke (2) and Gerard McCartan hauled the Kilkeel side right back into the contest.
When Kevin Gallagher for Omagh's first point of the half, they led 2-06 to 0-10.
Annett pointed to reduce the gap to one and then skipper Colgan brought St Louis level.
Deane O'Neill edged Omagh in front once more but Colgan had the final say to force the replay.
In the MacLarnon Cup final, Our Lady's from Castleblayney beat St Patrick's Keady by 4-01 to 10 points. AIB All-Ireland Club Football final
Ballina Stephenites (Mayo) 1-12 Portlaoise (Laois) 2-08
All-Ireland Club hurling final
Athenry (Galway) 0-14 James Stephens (Kilkenny) 0-19
MMIX
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