Hard Fought Win For Ladies

Sunday 02.02.2020

County

Tyrone 1-14

Armagh 1-12

A much improved Tyrone edged a tense battling Ulster derby in division two of the ladies national league at Silverbridge on Sunday beating Armagh in the league for the first time in some 24 years. This was Tyrone back to their best, penetrating runs with Emma Brennan and Niamh Hughes to the fore, some fine work from Neamh Woods, Emma Jane Gervin and Aoibhinn Mc Hugh at midfield. After a display of assured defence and clinical finishing the Red Hands fully merited their win.

After a slow start from both teams it was Tyrone who pulled three ahead. Hughes, Brennan and the impressive Caitlin Kelly teed up by Brennan finding the range as Armagh found it hard to break down a well structured and tenacious Tyrone defence. Blaithin Mackin did have the ball in the Tyrone net early on but had overcarried in the build up.

Tyrone began to pull away with Hughes and Brennan among the points  before a late first half Armagh goal closed the gap to just four points at the break. The Orchard side were level within six minutes of the restart, Mackin and Kelly Mallon with a brace apiece. Tyrone however responded well tagging on 1-4 without reply as Woods took control at midfield.

Gervin, Mc Hugh and Chloe Mc Caffrey started and finished a move for a goal as Slaine Mc Carroll and O’Neill added points. Armagh tried hard to get back on terms with the Red Hand girls. Laura Kane and Christiane Hunter combined to deny Niamh Reel a goal as Caoileann Conway, Tori Mc Laughlin and Emma Mulgrew combined to keep an Orchard tide at bay.

There were some late scores from Armagh but excellent game management from Tyrone sealed the win as they prepare to face Clare at Drumragh on Saturday.

Tyrone Scorers: Emma Brennan 0-4, Niamh O’Neill 0-3, Chloe Mc Caffrey 1-0. Niamh Hughes 0-3,Caitlin Kelly 0-3, Slaine Mc Carroll 0-1