Replays are always different and so it proved last night as Kildress got the better of Derrytresk at a windy Mullaghmoyle, Stewartstown by 1-15 to 0-11. By the end of the first quarter Kildress were 0-4 to 0-2 ahead but Caolan McNamee’s goal soon helped them to a six point advantage and despite a strong finish to the half by Derrytresk, Kildress led by five at the break, Matty McGuigan (0-5), Philip Lennon (0-2) and the rampaging Eoghan McElduff (0-1) their points scorers. Derrytresk’s Niall Gavin was probably the standout player though and by the end of the night had kicked eight exceptional points in a delightful virtuoso display.
Kildress remained in a good position throughout the second half and whilst the Fir an Chnoic got to within a goal, it was Kildress who were making most of the running. Driven on by Conor McAleer, Callum Holland, Eoin Brannigan, Conor Quinn and very effective subs the Connolly brothers, the Tones were deserved winners despite those eye-catching efforts of the wonderful Niall Gavin.