On 25th May 1965 Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston fought in Lewiston, Maine in one of the most famous World Heavyweight Boxing matches in history. The reason for the fights enduring fame arises from the fact that Ali knocked Liston out in the first minute of the first round. This prompted a famous photograph of Ali standing over his vanquished opponent, captured by ringside photographer Neil Leifer. in what has become one of the most iconic images in sport. For many years Clann na nGael Aughabrack Dunamanaghs mens Senior team has played the role of Sonny Liston when it came to Championship football as they had been unable to negotiate their way past the first round since a 0-12 to 0-8 victory against Cookstown Fr. Rocks on 4th October 2005. It was against the backdrop of nine long years of pain and hurt that they prepared to lock horns with Brocagh Emmetts at Rock St. Patricks grounds on Thursday 3rd July in the first round of the Hunky Dorys Tyrone Junior Championship. They were forced to make one change to the proposed starting line-up before throw-in with Sean OKane drafted in to replace Brendan Conway. Despite the lack of success enjoyed by the north Tyrone side in knock-out football in recent years, the presence of Stephen ONeill and Brian Dooher in the starting line-up was enough to make them favourites in most peoples eyes. It was the underdogs Brocagh Emmetts who made the better start as Padraig Bell and Colm McFall grabbed the opening two points of the match. Clann na nGael Aughabrack Dunamanagh struggled to get a foothold in the early stages but their hopes received a massive shot in the arm when, after a strong run from Stephen ONeill, the ball was squared to Danny Ball Jr. who had the composure to place it firmly into the top corner. The goal was soon followed by points from Brian Dooher and Noel McDermott before Danny Ball Jr. was denied his second goal when Christopher Scullion produced an excellent save low to his left. Perhaps the most eye catching score of the opening half was a long range effort off the ground struck by Brocagh Emmetts midfielder Barry Donnelly. This was not enough to stop Clann na nGael Aughabrack Dunamanagh from heading into the break with a 1-6 to 0-6 lead. After the resumption Brendan Conway was introduced to replace Sean OKane as Clann na nGael Aughabrack Dunamanagh enjoyed the benefit of the breeze in their favour for the second period. Corner-forward Donal Robinson scored the opening point after the resumption for Brocagh Emmetts but they quickly found themselves on the back foot with Brian Dooher becoming increasingly influential around the middle third and Dominic Devine also getting his hands on plenty of loose ball. Adrian Ball tagged on a couple of further points for Clann na nGael Aughabrack Dunamanagh as they began to put some daylight between the teams. Indeed they could have increased the advantage further had they not spurned a couple of presentable opportunities to raise a green flag. They had however established a six-point lead as the game headed into the closing stages and at that juncture a missed free-kick from within scoring range to extend the lead to seven points seemed to be of limited consequence as Brocagh Emmetts forward-line was surviving on scraps. The game suddenly took a dramatic twist when the underdogs got a goal out of nothing as a speculative long ball found its way to the net following a misjudgement. This score came with six minutes left on the watch and the difference between the sides was soon whittled down to a single score with Brian Dooher off the field receiving treatment for a nasty facial injury. His return to the fray helped stabilise matters and Danny Ball Jr. popped over a crucial score from a placed ball as the game entered stoppage time. There was still enough time left on the watch for Brocagh Emmetts substitute Ciaran Donnelly to cause panic in the Clann na nGael Aughabrack Dunamanagh rearguard as he fielded a high ball and swivelled before dragging his effort at goal well wide of the far post. When the final whistle sounded the scoreline read 1-12 to 1-10 in favour of a Clann na nGael Aughabrack Dunamanagh side who had finally got the proverbial monkey off their collective backs as they advanced to a meeting with Castlederg St. Eugenes in the next round.
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 12:21:46 +0000
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