Errigal Ciarán's quest to become the first club in 18 years to retain the O'Neill Cup came up agonisingly short after Trillick prevailed by 1-13 to 0-13 after extra-time in a thrilling final at O'Neills Healy Park.

Trillick, who were without their injured talisman Mattie Donnelly, thought they had won it in normal time when Ciaran Daly scored the only goal, but three stoppage-time points forced extra-time for the holders. However, Jody Gormley's charges regained the initiative in the additional 20 minutes where Rory Brennan and Richie Donnelly led them to a ninth title.

The St Macartan's led by 0-3 to 0-1 at the end a cagey opening quarter and by 1-5 to 0-3 at half-time after Daly netted in the 29th minute after Daley Tunney's initial shot was half blocked.

Seanie O'Donnell extended the winners' lead to six points after the restart, but with Peter Harte, Moe Oguz and the Canavan brothers, Darragh and Ruairí to the fore, Errigal Ciarán fought back. They narrowed the gap to two points before Richie Donnelly and Daly put Trillick four up.

But the champions dug deep and scored the last four points, including injury-time efforts from Harte and substitute Odhran Robinson to tie up the scoring at 0-11 to 1-8.

Ciaran Quinn edged Errigal Ciarán ahead at the start of extra-time, but injuries to Darragh Canavan and Peter Harte were a big setback and Trillick got the job done thanks to late points from Ryan Gray and Lee Brennan.

 

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