Clonoe bridged a 17 year gap at O’Neill Park, Dungannon yesterday when they qualified for the final of the Tyrone senior championship after having three points to spare, 1-9 to 2-3, over Donaghmore in a close fought encounter.

Clonoe started in whirlwind fashion with four unanswered points from Patrick Doris, Colm Doris and Ryan T O’Neill inside the opening 10 minutes but they failed to score for the remainder of the first half as Donaghmore turned around 1-2 to 0-4 in front thanks to a well taken Shane Mulgrew goal.

In the second half O’Neill and Mulgrew exchanged points before Daniel Grimes scored Donaghmore’s second goal in the 12th minute but that was to prove to be their last score of the game.

Clonoe substitute PJ Lavery palmed to the net to level matters three minutes later before points from O’Neill and midfielder Stephen McNulty won the game against a Donaghmore side that finished the contest with 14 men after defender Gary Hetherington picked up a second yellow card.

Damian Cassidy’s side will now play the winners of Ardboe and Dromore, who clash this afternoon, in next Sunday’s final in Omagh.

Meanwhile, the long road to the MacRory Cup final began yesterday when the opening games in the league section were down for decision — but only one actually went ahead.

That featured MacRory and Hogan Cup holders St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon against St Colman’s, Newry in Lurgan with the Tyrone lads running out emphatic 1-14 to 0-6 winners.

Ciaran Gervin, David Lavery and Dermot Thornton — all survivors from last season’s Hogan Cup winning team — all featured among the points for Ciaran Gourley’s side with Liam Gervin grabbing the only goal of the contest in the second half.

Ireland were edged out by Scotland 1-10 to 1-9 in the hybrid hurling/shinty international in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny yesterday.

The Scots were without Kingussie's star goalscorer Ronald Ross but travelled in confident mood after three consecutive wins against the Irish.

The hosts included three local hurling stars in their squad — Eddie Brennan, Derek Lyng and Tommy Walsh.

Cork's Sean óg O Halpin, winner of three All Ireland titles and hurler of the year in 2004, was also included.

The backbone of the Scotland team play for Camanachd Cup winners Fort William.