Football

Southwest Donegal stun MacRory Cup holders Omagh CBS

A last-gasp goal knocked out the champions at O’Neills Healy Park on Sunday evening

Omagh CBS v Southwest Donegal
Southwest Donegal's Cathal O'Gallchoir holds possession under pressure. Picture: Rory Cox

OMAGH CBS exited this year’s MacRory Cup at O’Neills Healy Park last night after a hard-fought quarter final against Southwest Donegal.

A goal right at the death sealed the 2-7 to 1-7 win for the Donegal lads and ensures that there will be Donegal representation in the MacRory final for the first time since 1961 when St Patrick’s, Cavan took on St Eunan’s, Letterkenny.

Donegal opened the scoring inside the first two minutes when goalkeeper Padraig McBride ventured forward and split the posts with a fine strike.

Omagh responded with a well-taken score courtesy of Adrian McGurren before Donegal midfielder Luke Clerkin pointed to put his side ahead once more.

However, their lead did not last too long when Omagh centre-back Brian Gallagher burst through to make it 0-2 apiece after nine minutes.

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McGurren then struck for the first goal and added a mark to put Omagh in control, but Donegal pushed up on the Omagh kick-out and won a free, which was converted by corner-forward Eoghan Ban Mc Nelis.

Darragh Hennegan then fired to the net just before half-time to reduce the gap to one.

There was little between the sides in a low-scoring second half and all the excitement came down to the last few minutes when Omagh CBS were down to 14 players following a black-card offence.

Shane Sweeney and Luke Clerkin added points for the Donegal side before Padraig O’Donnell was left unattended in front of the Omagh goal and won the game for his team with the last kick.