Cole Palmer, celebrations from Joe Oguz, Eugene Branagan not wearing his traditional leg warmers, and a Darryl Branagan red card were just some of the Ulster club senior final moments in a game that was far from pleasing on the eye.
However, Errigal Ciarán had one early Christmas cracker left in them when Peter Óg McCartan scored a last-gasp winner as the Tyrone side won their first Ulster title since 2002, and maintained their incredible feat of being the only team from the county to win the Ulster crown, beating Down side Kilcoo 1-8 to 0-10.
Errigal needed other players that weren't named Canavan to step up as Karl Lacey's side kept both Darragh and Ruairi to just one point from play between them.
The turning point of the game came when Darryl was sent off for a head-high hit on Odhran Robinson which left referee Noel Mooney with no option but to send the centre-back to the line.
Kilcoo did respond by retaking the lead but the Tyrone side responded thanks to a excellent score from stalwart Peter Harte he's only score of the game.
#GAABEO 64 nóim @ErrigalCiaran1 1-08 (11)@KilcooGAC 0-010 (10)
SCÓR CINNIÚNACH😱😱
THE WINNER BY McCartan !!#GAA #GaelicFootball
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/NnkRHvctPH— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 8, 2024
Speaking to TG4 after the game, an emotional McCartan was delighted with the win and was as surprised as anyone that he kicked the winning score
“It means everything,” he said.
“It means the world. I’ve dreamed of this since I was a young child. Growing up playing football in Errigal Ciarán has been a huge part of my life, and I’m delighted we got over the line.
It was a tough battle. It was a cagy affair, going in level at half-time. We knew we had it in the legs in the second half, going in with the breeze. We’re delighted to get over the line in a Titanic battle. I'm just over the moon.
I wouldn’t be renowned for my scoring. Not often, I kick them points. I can’t believe I done it. I’m over the moon
When you’re a young child, you grow up dreaming of moments like that, and the fact I dared to do it, I just got the ball into my hands and went, I'm just going for this, and it caught the right part of my foot and went over
Look, it was 22 years when we last won it. I don’t remember it, but there was pressure on this team. This was where we wrote our history, winning one again after 22 years, and Errigal was the only team from Ulster to win. It is massive. Other teams will win it, but the fact we’ve done it means everything to us.”
Scór Lán-Ama@ErrigalCiaran1 1-08 (11)@KilcooGAC 0-10 (10)
‘You grow up and dream of moments like that'
Comhghairdeas le Peter Óg McCartan , Laoch na hImeartha inniu👏
#GAABEO #GAA pic.twitter.com/FASkL2kbiS— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) December 8, 2024
Errigal now have a few weeks to prepare for the Dr Crokes clash as they bid to become the first Tyrone team to win an All-Ireland senior club crown in 2025.
