McGinley: Draw was a fair result

By Niall Gartland

EDENDORK’S Darren McCurry stepped up with an exquisite equaliser in the closing seconds of today’s Senior Championship final against Errigal Ciaran, but his clutch score was overshadowed, at least temporarily, by the surreal few moments that followed.

It looked like McCurry’s two-pointer hadn’t been awarded (the word ‘breach’ was bandied about) and accordingly, the scoreline remained unchanged much to the obvious consternation of the St Malachy’s set-up.

Referee Paul Gallagher was clearly still involved in a discussion about the matter, and Conn Kilpatrick’s fist pump revealed the outcome. The initial decision was overturned, the score had been granted and that was more or less that. Replay time…

Speaking after the game, Errigal Ciaran manager Enda McGinley expressed his belief that a draw was a fair outcome.

“Look, given the strength of remonstrating from Edendork, I assume it was a legit mistake. There might have been a player down injured, I’m not sure.

“It is what it is. I think a draw was a fair result. I think if we had have won it, I’m not 100 percent sure we would have deserved it to be honest.”

It emerged before the game that Errigal Ciaran forward Darragh Canavan was withdrawn from the starting line up due to a knee injury. Assessing Darragh’s chances of featuring in the replay, McGinley said: “Unfortunately, last Sunday, he picked up a knee injury. You’re always hoping for a miracle but it’s not happening, and I can’t imagine he’ll be any better this week.

“That was obviously a blow to the squad and to the group. It is what it is, you’ve got a squad for a reason, and it’s up to the next man to come in and do well, and that’ll be the same state the next day.”

McGinley acknowledged that both teams have scope for improvement in the sequel. The first half in particularly was ragged at times, though there were still moments of class at both ends of the pitch.

“There were boys on both teams who had quieter days than their normal standards. The next game will be very likely quite a bit different, with different players standing up. Some of the players who stood up well today will be very closely monitored, you would imagine.

“Look, it goes back to that panel thing. The replay will take on a life on its own, and will probably have very little relevance to today’s game.

“When you’ve been around enough corners in the Tyrone Championship, you don’t take anybody for granted.

“We didn’t buy into the talk of being favourites, we prepared as well as we can, we felt we were in a very good place. Aspects of the performance were good, aspects let us down, and I’ve no doubt Edendork will be saying the same, so it will be whichever team makes the most gains in the five days.”

On the mood in the Errigal Ciaran changing room after the game, McGinley added: “It’s just weird. You don’t know whether to be relieved – and there’s a component of that – or very disappointed – and there’s a component of that. It’s as if all the build-up and nervous energy and excitement and everything that goes into a county final day is really for nothing! It’s just back to the next day. But again, it is what it is, you deal with it and you move on.”