County Minors Secure Victory Over Sligo

Saturday 11.03.2023

County

Ulster Minor Football League Rd 3
Tyrone 0-11 Sligo 0-5

History was made in Stewartstown on. Saturday afternoon as the Harp hosted their first ever inter county game between Tyrone minors and Sligo in the Ulster Minor Football League. Both Tyrone and Sligo suffered defeats in this competition the last day day but the Red Hands put a poor first half performance behind them to secure the two points.

Played in blustery conditions on an excellent pitch Tyrone had the advantage of the breeze in the opening half but really struggled to make it count. Sligo opened the scoring in the 6th minute thanks for a Cian Carty free before Carrickmore’s Aidan Woods slotted over points in the 7th and 12th minutes. Strabane’s Kelvin Nelson put Tyrone two ahead in the 14th minute and by the quarter hour mark Jamie Concannon had the Red Hands three clear with a well taken point from distance.

Unfortunately that was Tyrone’s last score of the half. A series of seven wides from Tyrone no doubt led to some stern words from manager Gerard Donnelly at the break. Half time score – Tyrone 0-4 Sligo 0-1.

Much like the opening half Sligo were first on the scoreboard in the second half as wing half forward Conor McDonagh using the wind to his advantage to raise a white flag. Tyrone looked a lot more focused however and points from Liam Lawn in the 38th and 41st minute eased the lead out to four points. By the 45th minute that lead was five as substitute Liam McGeary clipped one over.

Tyrone were dominant and three more points in the space of three minutes from Liam Lawn, Ronan Bradley (free), and Aidan Hegarty took the match away from Sligo. Sligo did manage to kick the next two points via Cian Carty and Dara Moyston before the last two scores of the game were stared between Tyrone’s Liam McGeary and Sligo’s Conor McDonagh. Final Score – Tyrone 0-11 Sligo 0-5

Tyrone – Oisin Watson, Jamie Concannon (0-1), James Corry, Aidan Colton, Sean Broderick, Conall Morgan, Conor Devlin, Liam Lawn (0-3), Conor Holmes, Matthew Howe, Tommy Taggart, Turlough Muldoon, Aidan Woods (0-2), Kelvin Nelson (0-1). Subs Aidan Hegarty (0-1), Liam McGeary (0-2), Ronan Bradley (0-1), Davagh Loughran.

Sligo – James Cronin, Clyde Regan, Cian Gallagher, Jack Hayes, Liam Higgins, Oran Harte, Darragh Mastin, Conor Walsh, Dara Moyston (0-1), Cillian Duggan, Eoin Tuffy, Conor McDonagh (0-2), Eamon O’Mahoney, Cian Carty (0-2), Josh McHugh. Subs Marty Murray, Aaron Lang.

Referee – Chris Brady (Monaghan)