It was a day of what might have been for Tyrone but be assured the Red Hands are on the rise. In their first senior final in thirteen years one thing was evident despite a single point loss, the gap in Ulster is closing and Tyrone looked impressive.

While Armagh claimed their third consecutive TG4 Ulster senior title Tyrone in a pulsating final at Owenbeg they were pressed all the way and found it hard to shake off the grip Tyrone had on them throughout. The way the Red Hands responded when the champions pulled away, testament to the belief and resilience Tyrone now have in spades.

At the back Grainne Mc Kenna, Jayne Hearty and Eimear Quinn battled hard against some of the best attackers in the country, Meabh Mallon, and Caotain Aoibhinn Mc Hugh were excellent while up from Sorcha Gormley, Niamh O’Neill and Slaine Mc Carroll always threatened while Cloe Mc Caffrey, visibly shaken with a knock and Aoife Horisk so often opened up the Armagh defence.

The introduction of  Armagh veteran Kelly Mallon, who hit three key points for Armagh and held up the ball at key moments proved vital,  Blanaid Mackin came in alongside teenage sensation Cassie Henderson and those moves by the experienced Armagh management were to prove the difference.

Tyrone had the better start and led by two points after as many minutes. Three points on the trot from Armagh edged them in front and in the 20th minute Aoife Mc Coy netted the first goal of the game. Lauren Mc Convile drove at the Red Hand defence, offloaded to Caroline O Hanlon who in turn set up Mc Coy who palmed calmly to the net.

No panic from Tyrone though and with the next attack  Slaine Mc Carroll finished a solo run from the halfway line with a low drive to the net. Tyrone hit the next four points to regain the lead and with genuine quality they took the game to Armagh. The challenges were crisp, it was great football but Armagh did respond scoring the next three points including a two-pointer from Aimee Mackin. In the dying minutes of the half both sides traded points but it was Armagh who went in ahead 1-9 to 1-8.

Scores were at a premium in the third quarter and Tyrone went two clear in a highly competitive  third quarter. By the turn of the quarter Armagh bagged a second goal .Blathin Mackin  just on the pitch produced a wonderful high catch in the middle of the field and set up Caoimhe Mc Nally who made no mistake from close range.

Henderson in her first championship final, was sin binned with six left on the clock with four points between them. Tyrone pushed hard and narrowed the gap to a single point  after the impressive O’Neill flashed over a free after Grace Ferguson was carded but as a last gasp effort curled wide that was that. Tyrone will be back.

Tyrone  1-15 Armagh 2-13

Armagh: B Mackin 0-6 (1ft 2p), A McCoy 1-2, K Mallon 0-3 (2f), C McNally 1-0, C O Hanlon and E Druse 0-1each

Tyrone: N O’Neill 0-5 (4f), A Horisk 0-4 (3f), S McCarroll 1-1, C Mccaffrey 0-3 and S Gormley 0-1

𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗛 : B Mathers; M Ferguson, C McCambridge, C Towe, E Druse, L McConville, G Ferguson, C Reilly, A Donnelly, C Marley, A McCoy, C Mc Nally, A Mackin, C O’Hanlon, L Marsden

Subs: B Mackin for A Donnelly, K Mallon for C Marley, C Henderson for C Reilly, E Melanophy for M Ferguson and M Lennon for C McNally

𝗧𝗬𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗘 : L Kane; J Hearty, G McKenna, E Quinn, C Canavan, M Corrigan, C Campbell, M Mallon, A. McHugh, S McCarroll, C McCarroll, C McCarroll, C McCaffrey, E Canny, N O’Neill, S Gormley, A Horisk.

Subs: K Ross for Canavan

Referee: Siobhan Kelly (Donegal).