LADIES| U-16s Suffer Narrow Defeat.

Tuesday 22.03.2016

Club

Urney was the venue on Sunday for LGFA U16 Ulster league/championship clash between Tyrone and Donegal which was played in ideal conditions.

Tyrone started brightly laying siege to the Donegal goal but a combination of bad luck and good defensive play denied the Red Hands a goal. Great interlinking play between Sarah Louise Franey, Dearbhaile Gallagher and Ellie J McMenamin set Gallagher through on goal only to see the shot rebound off the cross bar.

Tyrone continued to attack before Donegal broke up the field on a counter attack to hit the first goal of the game. Tyrone were now very much on the defensive and as their opponents warmed to the task they hit another goal and 3 points leaving the score 2-03 to 0-00.

The home side appeared rattled as team captain Meabh Corrigan set up Gallagher who was on hand to fire over Tyrone’s first point. Bronagh Mc Kenna gathered the Donegal kick out before going on the run to fire a shot to the net.

With their confidence growing Tyrone’s Aoibhainn Murray with Aoife Byrne began to get to grips in the middle of the park. Tyrone’s next score was to come from a free after Sarah Louise Franey was fouled bearing down on goal. Aoife Seaney stepped up and fired over the free. Donegal then broke up the field only to be foiled by Caoimhe Meeke with a fine save.

However Donegal bagged a goal with their next attack and then added 2 further points. Tyrone’s defence improved considerably after that with Bronagh Mossey, Maria O,Hagan, and Ikea Collins repelling the Donegal forwards with impressive tackling and strong running.

O’Hagan then initiated a great passing move between Murray and Mc Menamin before finding Bronagh McKenna whose left shot found the net. The Tyrone attack came close to adding further goals from Seaney and Corrigan. Tyrone finished the half with a point from centre half forward Mc Kenna to leave the score at the break Tyrone 2-03 Donegal 3-05.

Tyrone started the second half strongly with Byrne straight on the attack from the throw in.  Jade Leonard on as a replacement for Franey was fouled out on the right wing before Gallagher stepped up and scored the resulting free. Substitute Caoimhe Barr linked well with Murray to send Leonard on a strong run before scoring a fine point.

Tyrone were playing much better at this stage and team captain Corrigan linked with Sophie Coyle to score a fine point from play. The Red Hand Girls were pressing hard and went in front for the first time when A. Murray found the net having fielded the kick out before linking with Coyle.

A Donegal break away attack and a speculative shot found the net to put the visitors back in front 4-05 Tyrone 3-06. Donegal extended their lead hitting three points from play. The Tyrone defence steadied and led by Grace Mc Guinness, Catherine O’Hanlon and Mossey plus the introduction of O’Neill the home team began to turn the tide. The strong running Mc Menamin got Tyrone back in to the game when a superb pass found Mc Kenna who was fouled again. Aoife Byrne stepped up and fired over the free. Directly from the kick out O,Hagan stormed forward passing to Byrne who fired over from open play. Erin McMahon replaced the hard working A Murray and as Tyrone pressed forward Donegal forwards broke forward to kick the next two points.

Mc Guinness gathered Tyrone’s next kick out before breaking up field and passing inside to O,Hagan who broke past  two defenders, played a 1-2 with Coyle. O,Hagan bore down on goal before rounding the keeper to fire to the net.

Sadly for Tyrone referee Yvonne Duffy blew for full-time immediately following the kick out meaning Donegal held on for the win.

Final score Tyrone 4-08 Donegal 4-10
Tyrone: C Meeke G Mc Guinness, B Mossey, C O,Hanlon, M O,Hagan, I Collins, A Seaney, A Byrne, A Murray, E J Mc Menamin, B Mc Kenna, D Gallagher, N Maguire, S L Franey, M Corrigan capt. subs J Leonard-S L Franey, S Coyle-N Maguire, C Barr- A Seaney, G O’Neill-M Corrigan, E McMahon- A Murray