Curran makes his mark

Coalisland 1-10 Roslea 1-7: TYRONE CHAMPIONS Coalisland booked an Ulster club football championship semi-final spot against …

Coalisland 1-10 Roslea 1-7:TYRONE CHAMPIONS Coalisland booked an Ulster club football championship semi-final spot against Glenties of Donegal, but they needed a stunning late save from Johnny Curran to secure a narrow win.

Curran got fingertips to a Liam Lynch shot in stoppage time to push the ball onto the crossbar and deny the Fermanagh men a draw and extra-time..

The sides were locked on two points each when Coalisland went in front in the 19th minute, with goalkeeper Curran drilling a 45 between the posts. But Roslea had scores from the Quigley brothers, Séamus and Seán to go in front for the first time.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Coalisland grabbed a rather fortuitous goal. Philip Toner’s delivery was fumbled by goalkeeper Seán Boyle, and Tiarnan O’Hagan booted to the net from close range.

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Coalisland led by 1-3 to 0-4 at the break and extended the advantage with a bright start to the second half. Brian Toner landed a superb long-range point, before Paddy McNeice fired over an equally brilliant score.

The Fermanagh men got themselves right back in contention with a 36th minute goal from Seán Quigley.

Roslea’s Niall Cassidy received a second yellow card, and the Fianna hit five of the final six scores, despite losing Stephen McNally to a second booking.

COALISLAND: J Curran (0-1, 45); L O’Neill, P Donnelly, L Wylie; S McNally, N Kerr, C Bayne; P McGahan, P Toner (0-2); P Kane (0-1), B Toner (0-1), S Curran (0-1); P McNeice (0-1), T O’Hagan (1-1), G Toner. Subs: D Thornton (0-2, one free) for S Curran, M Early for Kane.

ROSLEA: S Boyle, C Mulligan, P McKenna, M Renfrew, P Sherry, P Lynch, C Quigley, K Cosgrove, J Sherry, L Lynch, N Cassidy, N Cosgrove, B Sherlock, Séamus Quigley (0-6, four frees, one 45), S Quigley (1-1).

Referee: C Branagan (Down).