Ulster title a 'special feeling' for Errigal Ciaran
Peter Og McCartan came up with two vital points in the final quarter for Errigal Ciaran
- Published
Errigal Ciaran match-winner Peter Og McCartan was the first to admit he is not renowned for his scoring prowess but reckons that made his stunning injury-time point "even sweeter" as the club won a first Ulster club SFC title in 22 years.
The wing-back landed two outstanding points in the final quarter as the Tyrone champions struck late to beat favourites Kilcoo by 1-8 to 0-10 in Sunday's Ulster final at the Athletic Grounds.
His courageous effort deep into stoppage time proved to be the winning score and no-one was more surprised than the player himself.
"Ah, it's madness. I just knew once I got the ball I was going for it," he said.
"There wasn't long left so I pulled the trigger and it was straight over. I don't know how I did it. It's not often I kick two, to be honest. I'm just delighted.
"We kept having one-point wins and stuff this year, and to win the final by a point you couldn't write it, it's the stuff of dreams."
New Ulster champions Errigal Ciaran will play Kerry and Munster champions Dr Crokes in the All-Ireland semi-final on 4 January.
Peter Og McCartan celebrates after the final whistle after his dramatic injury-time winner for Errigal Ciaran
After scoring 0-9 in the Ulster semi-final win over Armagh champions Clann Eireann, Ruairi Canavan was always going to come in for special attention from the Kilcoo defence and he was well held throughout.
Likewise, his brother and Errigal captain Darragh Canavan was also surrounded by black jerseys as Kilcoo tried to nullify their threat and the pair managed 0-1 between them.
In other games this year Errigal's support cast has come to the fore and so it was in the Athletic Grounds with goalscorer Joe Oguz and in particular McCartan taking the responsibility to get the scores.
Skipper Darragh Canavan paid tribute to his team-mate for coming up with vital points in the clutch moments.
"When Peter Og McCartan kicks two points from play you know it's going to be a good day," he said.
"It's a special feeling. We're definitely going to enjoy it the next few days."