Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘MORE IN THE TANK
Mcnabb’s quality tells in decider and he now has eyes on Ulster title quest
DROMORE are the kings of Tyrone football again after winning a fourth O’neill Cup and a first since 2012.
There was nothing between the sides in the first half but Coalisland will regret a host of scoring chances missed as they kicked eight first-half wides.
Dromore corner forward Emmet Mcnabb top scored with six points to be also top marksman in the championship and he was delighted at the final whistle.
“It’s unbelievable to win a first senior championship,” said Mcnabb. “We knew Coalisland were going to be a tough nut to crack and they had the better of things in the first half but missed a few chances.
“We knew they finished strong in all of their games but today we were the side that got the scores in the second half.
“Its testament to the amount of work that all of the panel and the management team have put in and to finally get my hands on a senior championship medal is the stuff dreams are made of.
“We will enjoy tonight and the next few days and after that we will knuckle down at training again and prepare for the opening round of the Ulster championship against the Fermanagh champions in a few weeks time,” Mcnabb added.
Dromore turned on the style in the second half to outscore Coalisland 0-10 to 0-3 and nobody could deny they were worthy champions.
Former Tyrone attacker Paddy
Mcneice hit an early brace for the
Fianna but Mcnabb kept the winners in touch with a couple of points, including a sublime effort from out on the left wing. Both sides had early goal chances, with county star Michael Mckernan having a shot saved by Mark Mcgale, while at the other end of the field Fintan Coney saved from Ryan Mccusker.
Coalisland were still having t h e better of things in terms of possession, with teenager Niall Devlin coming forward from defence to put his side back in front before veteran Kane made it 0-4 to 0-2 at the first water break. Odhran Rafferty and Seán Mcnabb had late first half points for Dromore to leave it 0-5 each at the short whistle. Rafferty and Mcneice swapped early second half points before a Mcnabb free gave his side an advantage that they were never to lose.
County star Niall Sludden fired over a point before Mccusker joined the attack to register as well.
With former Tyrone defender Ronan Mcnabb getting through a mountain of work for Dromore the Coalisland attack struggled to function, especially as they lost top scorer in the championship, Cormac O’hagan, to a first-half injury.
Tyrone duo Padraig Hampsey and Mckernan tried to carry the fight for the Fianna but Mcnabb knocked over another free and as Coalisland tired Seán Mcnabb fisted a point and Rafferty scored again.
Coalisland sub Cathaoir Quinn pointed but the impressive Rafferty brought the scoring to a conclusion with his third point of the day.