P Graham Tarmac Junior Football Championship Quarter Final
Friday 18th September 2026
Niall Kelly reports from Spórtlann na hÉireann at Coláiste Feirste
Laochra Loch Lao 1-13 Éire Óg 3-16
Éire Óg booked their place in this year’s Junior Football Semi-Final courtesy of a nine-point win over Laochra Loch Lao. The stiff curtain of drizzle and rain so evident under the floodlights at Coláiste Feirste was not enough to dampen the fire in both camps. Knockout Championship never fails to raise the intensity to another level as both went hammer and tongs in what was a high scoring, high octane game. Two fine first half goals from Conal Smyth and Mark O’Hanlon laid a clear platform to victory for the Ógs; but the margin of victory doesn’t perhaps tell the full story. Laochra had this game in the melting pot for much of the sixty and looked menacing on the front foot themselves with Tomas Ó’Tuathaláin and Rian MacSéain causing real damage bombing forward from the engine room. However, the scoring prowess from the dynamic Dixon duo as well as colossal performances in defence from Luca Mulholland and Karl McKenna was telling in the end and helped steer the Derriaghy men on the path to victory.
The visitors made their intentions clear as they raced into a four point lead in the opening five minutes. Lorcan McIlroy and Conal Smyth pointed fine scores from tight angles before Conor Dixon struck over a superb two pointer from outside the arc. There was a real purpose to the men in red and white in the opening exchanges as they moved the ball at pace with precision.
Laochra had responded through Connla Ó Coinn but it only served as a prelude to the game’s first major from the Ógs. Mark O’Hanlon picked up the ball lár na páirce and embarked on a slaloming run, weaving this way and that before steering the ball across goal perfectly to nestle in the bottom corner of Séan ÓhEacháin’s net with the game ten minutes old.
This seemed to stir the hosts though as they fought back with two unanswered points thanks to a Diarmuid MacPilib free and a fisted effort from close range from Fiontann Ó’Tuathaláin midway through the half.
Proceedings were becoming tit for tat now as the teams exchanged further scores with Conor McKenna fisting over from close range thanks to a trademark roving run forward before the ever-dangerous Conall Smyth angled his effort to perfection for the Ógs. Laochra again though would respond as Tomas Ó’Tuathaláin guided over a stunning effort off the outside of his right foot before they raised a green flag of their own. A fine move was finished off in style by Diarmuid MacPilib who palmed into the net from close range to trigger an almighty roar from the home faithful.
With the clocking ticking down now in added time, there was certainly a different air about Laochra’s play. With Ó’Tuathaláin and Rian MacSéain commandeering plenty of ball in midfield, they began to dictate play. Their approach was often patient and probing and was perfectly emphasised when Ó’Tuathaláin added the finishing gloss to a sustained two minute period of possession in what was a fine score.
With the deficit now only a mere two points and Richie Leahy’s half-time whistle imminent, things were looking rosy for the hosts. However, seconds before the interval, they were dealt a hammer blow. Éire Óg stole possession from a misplaced Laochra free in their own half before counterattacking at breakneck speed. An arrowed pass from Eoin Dixon was fetched perfectly by Conall Smyth who then opened his body to caress the size five into the visitor’s net with a succulent, curling finish leaving the scores 1-05 to 2-07 in favour of the men in red and white at the short whistle.
The second period began with Jack MacÍomhair finding his bearings from a tight angle to reduce the gap before a fine response from Eoin Dixon, who displayed his devastating ability from range firing over a superb two-pointer from a free off the deck. Dixon, who was arguably the most vital cog in the Éire Óg wheel, then followed this up with another fine effort after playing a quick one-two with his brother, Conor, on the fortieth minute.
Just as it seemed the Ógs were starting to run away with it, again Laochra would battle back and again Tomas Ó’Tuathaláin was at the heart of the fightback. The tricky number eight lofted over an audacious effort with very little back lift to split the posts, again courtesy of the outside off his trusty right boot.
Laochra’s calculated approach was reemerging to the fore once more as they bided their time before offloading into space and converting as Diarmuid MacPilib increased his individual tally. Although Conall Smyth responded for the Ógs, it was Laochra who were enjoying a period of dominance and potency as the game approached the final quarter. Rian MacSéain steered over a fine effort from just inside the arc before proving his own proficiency just outside it. The towering number nine negotiated the stiff breeze perfectly to curl an absolute ‘worldie’ over to raise the orange flag and suddenly the gap was down to a single goal.
With the game entering the final five minutes, it really was all to play for as the big hits and tackles came flying in. Some robust tackling resulted in a flurry of cards as tempers began to fray but such are the stakes of Championship football. Laochra continued to search for penetrative avenues of attack, but their opponent’s defence stood resolute with Luca Mulholland making some outrageous blocks and Karl McKenna coolness personified in possession to transition his side back up the field.
As their defence weathered the storm, the Ógs heavy artillery in the attacking end would do the damage again as two pointers would be the order of the day. That man Eoin Dixon would again prove deadly from range as he angled in yet another two pointed free from the deck from a tight angle. Substitute Brendan Shannon then announced his arrival with a towering effort from an angle and range well beyond the arc that he had no right to shoot from on the fifty eighth minute.
Laochra responded through a familiar source in Ó’Tuathaláin, but it was a case of too little too late. Added time proved to be a tempestuous affair as emotions ran high. Two Laochra players were given their marching orders before a late penalty was awarded. Lorcan McIlroy had the honours and duly dispatched before Conor Dixon rounded off the evening’s scoring to seal a 3-16 to 1-13 victory and a place in this year’s semi finals.
All in all, this was a thoroughly entertaining game between two sides with very contrasting offensive styles. The patient and measured approach adopted by Laochra was effective but it was the ability of their opponents to bide their time before turning over possession and breaking at pace which was to be telling in the end. Nevertheless, the hosts can be satisfied with their performance as they put in a serious shift and pushed Éire Óg all the way.
For the Derriaghy men, they will now look to a semi final meeting with Ardoyne. Having suffered defeat to them earlier in the group stage, they are now primed to inflict revenge. With the two Dixons and Conall Smyth in their attacking weaponry, they will certainly fancy their chances.
Teams:
Laochra Loch Lao:
Seán O’hEacháin; Eamonn Mac Lochlainn, Deaglan MacThom, Cathal Ó’Ceallaigh; Gearoid Mac Séain, Conchur Mac Gaffraidh, Oisin Mac Crabhagain; Tomas Ó’Tuathaláin (0-04,) Rian MacSéain(0-03 – 1tp & 0-01;) Dubhaltach Mac Crabhagain, Connla Ó Coinn (0-01,) Tiarnan Mac Siacais; Jack Mac Íomhair (0-01,) Fiontann Ó’Tuathaláin (0-02,) Diarmuid MacPilib (1-02)
Éire Óg:
Jamie King; Barry McDaid, Brian O’Malley, Karl McKenna; Conor McKenna (0-02,) Luca Mulholland, Dermot Burns; Ronan McKeown, Eoin Dixon (0-05 2tp & 0-01;) Mark O’Hanlon (1-00,) Lorcan McIlroy (1-01,) Jarlath Devlin; Conor Dixon (0-03 – 1tp & 0-01,) Mark Graham, Conall Smyth (1-03)
Substitute Scorer:
Brendan Shannon (0-02 – 1tp)
TO VIEW MORE OF BRIAN MC KEE’S PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BRLOW