By Geoffrey Gillis
With County Champions Clonoe on Ulster Club duty the spotlight fell on the Division Two Football League yesterday afternoon, with leaders Clan Na Gael capitalising on Trillick's surprising defeat by Rock to move three points clear, at the top of the table.
Trillick's journey to Rock on Saturday evening provided the newly crowned Intermediate champions with the opportunity to apply pressure on Clan Na Gael, as they prepared for a difficult clash, at Stewartstown. However, Rock cemented their place in the Intermediate Grade for 2009 with a narrow 1-9 to 0-10 victory.
Martin McCreesh led the way for the hosts, as he contributed 1-7 to the winning total with John Mallon and Ryan Crilly also registering points. His goal came from the penalty spot in the second half. Five Phillip McGrade points allied to some excellent scores from Mattie Donnelly wasn't enough to give Trillick, victory as the Reds now switch their attention to next weeks Ulster Club Championship game with Ballybay.
Clan Na Gael encountered little opposition from Stewartstown at Mullaghmoyle as they coasted to a commanding 2-16 to 1-9 victory. A result that has moved them three points clear, at the summit. They have two games remaining against Trillick and Moy so there are some interesting times ahead in the league title race.
First half goals from James Gormley and Ryan McGill did the trick, as the Clansmen eased into a match winning 2-11 to 0-5 interval lead. Stephen O'Neill and Stephen McSorley contributing some useful points. Owen Coyle among the Harps scorers in that opening period, while goalkeeper Greg Kelly produced an outstanding save to deny O'Neill a goal. On the restart Stewartstown mounted a brief revival with Mickey Mulgrew scoring a goal, while Gareth Devlin and Peter Armour tagged on points, but Clan Na Gael replied through Joe Ball and McSorley to run out comfortable winners.
Derrylaughan secured their Division Two survival with a comfortable 3-13 to 2-7 win on their travels to Tattyreagh. Goals from Brendan and Paddy Quinn helped them into a 2-5 to 1-2 interval lead with the Tattyreagh goal coming from Barry Montgomery on 23 minutes. A Conor Taggart goal offered the Tatt's some hope, but with Fergal McAliskey, Paddy Quinn and Ciaran Gervin notching points Derrylaughan sealed an impressive victory with a Ciaran Quinn goal three minutes from time.
Dungannon's survival ambitions suffered a setback, when they lost out 0-15 to 0-11, at Pomeroy. The Plunkett's shaded the opening half exchanges with Justin McCaffrey and Ciaran Slane contributing points for a 0-7 to 0-6 advantage. Dungannon stayed in touch through Shane and Declan Treanor before Pomeroy hit four points in the opening five minutes of the restart to establish a comfortable cushion. Aaron Monaghan and JJ Devlin replied for Dungannon, but the goal they needed never materialised, as they are left facing an anxious few games to decide their fate.
Moortown ended their relegation worries with a narrow 1-7 to 0-9 win over Eskra at Tobin Park. Colum Campbell hitting five points for the winners with Brian McLernon hitting the all important first half goal. Eskra replied with points from Peter Hughes and Cormac Arkinson but they fell short.
Edendork boosted their survival bid with a whopping 1-16 to 0-5 win over Killeeshil. Daniel Grimley, David Toner and Karl McGuckin among the points in the opening period as they led 0-12 to 0-2. On the restart the influential Padraig Donnelly drove them forward with Grimley sealing an impressive win with a 50th minute goal.
