Gaelic Games

Darren Hughes brace sees Scotstwon past Trillick

Monaghan outfit edge Tyrone champions in Ulster semi-final contest at Brewster Park

Darren Hughes of Scotstown celebrates after he scores a goal. Photograph: Andrew Paton/Inpho
Sun Nov 15 2015 - 17:48

Scotstown 2-9 Trillick 2-7

Two Darren Hughes goals did the trick for Scotstown as they set up an Ulster Club SFC final date with Crossmaglen on Sunday afternoon.

Hughes displayed opportunism and a lethal eye for goal to shoot down Trillick at Brewster Park.

It was the Tyrone men who struck for a goal in the 17th minute, Mattie Donnelly’s defence-splitting pass sending wing back Daniel McDonnell in for a clinical finish.

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Three minutes later, Scotstown had a goal back, Darren Hughes punching to the net at the far post from brother Kieran’s left wing crossfield pass.

Trillick's response epitomised the spirit that carried them to a first county title in 29 years, and they hit back for Lee Brennan to bring them level from a free.

Scotstown led though by 1-5 to 1-4 at the break, and Monaghan midfielder Darren Hughes plundered 1-1 inside the opening five minutes of the second half, reacting sharply to bury his shot after a Conor McCarthy effort had come back off the post.

Once again though the Tyrone champions hit back, and Niall Gormley darted through a gap in the cover to rifle home a goal.

While Scotstown operate without a sweeper, their workrate and covering is quite exceptional, and they had men with the mobility to cover the ground between defence and attack and frustrate the Tyrone men.

Orin Heaphy made it a three points game, before Gormley narrowed to a single point, but Trillick failed to score in the final 20 minutes.

Scotstown went even longer without registering, until goalkeeper Beggan slotted a long range free between the posts for a stoppage time clincher.

Scotstown: R Beggan (0-2, 2f), D McArdle, E Caulfield, B McGinnity, M Duffy, K Hughes, F McPhillips, F Caulfield, J Turley, O Heaphy (0-2), D Morgan, C McCarthy (0-1), S Carey (0-2, 2f), D Hughes (2-2), R McKenna.

Subs: B Boylan for McGinnity (h-t), D McCague for McKenna (43), D McCrudden for Heaphey (61)

Trillick: J Maguire, S O'Donnell, R Kelly, D Kelly, N Donnelly (0-1), R Brennan, D McDonnell (1-0), R Donnelly (0-1), E Gormley (0-2), M Donnelly, P O'Kane, S Kelly, N Gormley (1-1), L Brennan (0-1, f), D Gallagher (0-1).

Subs: S Gormley for S Kelly (46), R Gray for Gallagher (58)

Referee: C Branagan (Down).