By Tommy Nethery

OMAGH St Enda's manager Liam Grugan is under no illusions the magnitude of the task that faces his charges when they again lock horns with a star-studded Ardboe outfit in Saturday's Minor County Final replay although he is equally clear how winning the prestigious underage title can be achieved.

In Sunday's curtain-raiser at Healy Park the St Enda's boys produced a fantastic final flourish with points from Conan Grugan (2) and Ronan O'Neill in stoppage-time to earn a deserved second crack at the prized Kevin McCartan Cup.

That rousing finale completed what had been terrific advert for the minor game and provided further evidence that the future of the senior ranks is in safe hands for the time being.

It, too, demonstrated the collective effort, work-rate, desire and character combined with an abundance of skill that exists within an Omagh side that has built its reputation around the foundation of teamwork.

Such admirable qualities will again be essential if Omagh are to triumph in Saturday's replay at Galbally (throw-in 2.30pm) and manager Grugan believes that the team that brings the lessons learned in Sunday's showpiece to the table will ultimately succeed.

"I think so. The team that learned most from Sunday will have a distinct advantage. Ultimately it will boil down to who wants it more - the team with the greater hunger and superior work-rate," said Grugan.

"Both teams have now had a good look at each other, although we were well aware of their strengths and their influential players anyway, guys like Kyle Coney and in particular Gavin Teague."

Sunday's encounter had a largely partisan home crowd on the edge of their seats for 60 pulsating minutes as the players on opposing sides fought tooth and nail for every ball.

Omagh's team ethos was evident from early doors and in a rip-roaring opening 11 minutes the young St Enda's fashioned a 0-4 to 0-1 advantage with points from Barry Tierney, Tony McCann, Danny Lynch and the irrepressible Ronan O'Neill.

Ardboe though inspired by the dynamic midfield pairing of Shay McGuigan and Teague gained a foothold as two of the county's finest minor sides traded blows with Omagh maintaining their three-point advantage until the break.

The young Rossa's were quickly into their stride in the second half and 11 minutes in a Mattie Bell goal had the Loughshore boys in front for the first time. Further points by Declan McKernan and substitute Mark Wylie left Omagh trailing by three and seemingly on their way to a heartbreaking defeat.

However from deep within the St Enda's produced a barnstorming finale with an ice-cool Ronan O'Neill bisecting the posts in stoppage-time to earn his side a deserved second shot at the county's prestigious minor crown.

Reflecting on Sunday's thrilling curtain-raiser, Grugan said that the showpiece had panned out pretty much as he expected.

"It was a tough test. Ardboe had a number of star names in their ranks and they were well drilled which we fully expected from a Gavin Devlin side.

"Both teams had their spells on top. We had a good first half, Ardboe had a great spell for the opening 15-20 minutes of the second period before we came back to finish strongly. At the end of it all we're glad to get another crack at it but I thought the lads showed tremendous character and certainly didn't panic. They kept their composure and picked off their points.

"On a whole the game reflected the strength of minor football in the county and in difficult conditions both sides produced some great scores."

Omagh now head east for an eagerly-anticipated second instalment and Grugan believes that if his charges can reproduce all that was good about Sunday's display on a more consistent basis then they can end an excruciating 15-year wait for another minor crown.

"I have been with this team for some 10 years and have tried to give them the team game. From 1-30 these boys know what is expected of them. If we continue to put in the work-rate that has brought us success week in week out against some of the top teams in the county and be confident on our own ability then we have a great chance."