STEWARTSTOWN..............................................0-9

By Barry O'Donnell

A momentous week for Tyrone captain Brian Dooher ended on a disappointing note when his club side Clann na nGael were sent crashing out of the Intermediate Championship under the Healy Park floodlights on Friday night.

It was the North Tyrone side's first defeat of the season and despite the presence of All-Ireland winners Dooher and Stephen O'Neill in attack, they couldn't match Stewartstown's sheer drive and work-rate.

And in former Tyrone underage star Gareth Devlin the Harps had the outstanding player on view. He weighed in with seven points, including four from play, an invaluable contribution on an evening when scores were thin on the ground.

Stewartstown were also indebted to full-back Paddy Donnelly who did an effective job negating the influence of hot-shot O'Neill, while Micky Mulgrew gave the victors a solid platform to build on from centre field.

For the Clann men Peter Devine and Paul Conwell stuck doggedly to their task at the back, yet they struggled in other sectors of the field, and their cause wasn't helped by the 24th minute dismissal of full-back Cathal McGill after an altercation with Devlin.

O'Neill hoisted over a quality effort on four minutes to hand the Clann the early initiative and so nearly stole in for a goal shortly afterwards when half-back Noel McDermott ventured up the pitch after latching onto Joseph Ball's pass. He stumbled though at the vital moment and the chance was lost.

Devlin's eagle eyed accuracy within shooting range was soon evident and he converted three brilliant points in quick succession to hand Stewartstown the momentum, exhibiting strength and composure to find the target.

With both Dooher and O'Neill well-marshalled, Clann na nGael were struggling for any rhythm or cohesion and they fell further behind when centre-half back Paul Dillon hoisted over a fine score in the 18th minute.

Adrian Ball accepted O'Neill's lay off to reduce the deficit yet McGill's sending-off meant the Harps were able to play the spare man as a deep lying sweeper, making life difficult for the Clann attack to carve out shooting opportunities.

However, a sparkling score drifted over from 40m by Dooher left them trailing by the bare minimum, 0-4 to 0-3 at half-time.

Devlin's booming 50m free doubled the advantage shortly after the restart, only for Joseph Ball to retaliate curling over neatly at the other end.

In the main though the Harps, whose recent impressive Championship record marked them as out as dangerous dark horses, were playing the more purposeful, composed football and when Devlin added on two more points, and the experienced Peter Armour split the posts, the East Tyrone side led 0-8 to 0-4.

Clann sub Stephen McSorley surged up the middle and blasted over to keep his side in contention though they were afforded a lucky escape when Armour rattled the junction of Conor McAleer's crossbar and post with a blistering shot.