Naomh Conaill made us battle  but we knew they would - Malachy O’Rourke 

Malachy O’Rourke says Naomh Conaill pushed his Ulster champions Watty Grahams to the absolute brink in Saturday night’s one-point provincial semi-final win at Healy Park, Omagh. 

The Derry men had gone four clear early on but a Naomh Conaill burst close to the break eventually seen them go in just two adrift despite being second best for large spells in that opening half hour. 

O’Rourke said no one was panicking at that stage but once John O’Malley crashed in a 35th minute penalty, it certainly was game on. 

It was a tough battle - we knew it would be,” he said. “I thought in the first half we dominated the chances, we just didn’t take as many as we’d have liked. 

“The penalty, I’m not sure, but I heard it was very harsh. But it gave Naomh Conaill a real lifeline. But the lads showed real character. The winning score by Emmett was absolutely brilliant”. 

“We’re delighted to be through to the final”.