Errigal Ciaran secured their second O’Neill Cup triumph in three years and their 11th in total when they gained revenge for last season’s Final defeat by Trillick at O’Neills Healy Park.
The game had been delayed last weekend due to Storm Ashley and it worked in favour of the winners as it gave their talisman Darragh Canavan an extra five days to try and get over the shoulder injury that he sustained in their Semi-Final victory over Killyclogher.
However, it was his brother Ruairi who was man of the match with 0-6 to his name, including the winner in a gripping contest.
It was Errigal Ciaran who shaded a keenly contested first half 0-7 to 0-6 with All-Ireland Final referee Sean Hurson keeping a tight grip on proceedings.
It was the holders Trillick who enjoyed the better start with full forward Lee Brennan converting a fourth minute free-kick before county star Mattie Donnelly doubled their advantage with a superb effort with his weaker left foot.
Darragh Canavan showed no signs of his injury as he darted in from the left wing to split the posts to open his side’s account in the 13th minute. Brother Ruairi then levelled matters from a placed ball for the first of his three points in the opening period.
Brennan then edged Trillick back in front with a fantastic conversion from distance but moments later it was all square again thanks to an outstanding effort with the outside of his boot from wing half back Peter Og McCartan.
Errigal Ciaran were edging the midfield battle at this stage thanks to the endeavours of Joe Oguz and Ben McDonnell and they got their noses in front for the first time in the 20th minute through Ruairi Canavan after he had sold an outrageous dummy. Ryan Gray brought the sides level again with a well taken point from the right wing.
Ruairi Canavan converted his second free and that was quickly followed by a point from play from McDonnell. Trillick finished the half strongly, though, with Mattie Donnelly beginning to have a bigger influence on the contest. He set up James Garrity for a point before winning a free, which Brennan converted from an acute angle.
It was Errigal Ciaran, though, who had the final say of the half through Darragh Canavan after a jinking run saw him sell his marker a dummy before finishing in style.
The holders made a lightning start to the second half with Gray taking a superb point from out on the left wing, only for Errigal Ciaran to respond instantly from a Ruairi Canavan free after Oguz was fouled.
It was visible that Errigal Ciaran had upped the tempo, with Trillick centre half back Rory Brennan forced into two great blocks, but Peter Harte converted a free with Ruairi Canavan landing an outstanding point from play as the winners took a grip on proceedings.
Full forward Odhran Robinson then got a quality score despite being off balance as they moved four clear. They were well on top at that stage but amazingly were to score just once more in the last 20 minutes as the holders stormed back.
Mattie Donnelly hit an inspirational score from out on the left wing and in the 49th minute it was square when a perfect fist pass from Stephen O’Donnell picked out Ciaran Daly, who finished with alpomb across the body of keeper Darragh McAnenly. Sixty seconds later Ruairi Canavan hit what proved to be the winning score with an unbelievable effort from out on the right wing.
There may have been no more scores but the play was frantic and breathless as everybody on the field gave it their all in search of glory. Trillick were turned over a couple of times when in attacking positions with Aidan McCrory and Cormac Quinn to the fore in the Errigal Ciaran defence.
Errigal Ciaran have no time to rest on their laurels as they face Donegal champions St Eunans next Saturday evening in Healy Park.
Trillick: J Maguire, Stephen O’Donnell, P McCaughey, D Gallagher, C Garrity, R Brennan, Sean O’Donnell, R Donnelly, L Gray, C Daly (1-0), M Donnelly (0-2), R Gray (0-2), D Donnelly, L Brennan (0-3, 3F) J Garrity (0-1)
Subs: Michael Gallagher for R Gray, D Tunney for Stephen O’Donnell
Errigal Ciaran: D McAnenly, Cormac Quinn, A McCrory, Ciaran Quinn, P Og McCartan (0-1), N Kelly, T Colhoun, B McDonnell (0-1), J Oguz, P McGirr, P Harte (0-1, F), C McGinley, D Canavan (0-2), O Robinson (0-1), R Canavan (0-6 3F).
Subs: T Canavan for McGinley, M Kavanagh for Colhoun, E Kelly for McCartan, P Traynor for McGirr
Referee: S Hurson (Galbally)