LADIES| Ulster Title For Tyrone.

Sunday 03.07.2016

 

Ulster Ladies Intermediate Football Final

 

Tyrone 1-16

Down 1-12

Sunday July 3^rd at Clones was a day of football redemption for Tyrone Ladies football. After several seasons of heartbreak and big championship loses Gerry Moane’s side were crowned Ulster intermediate football champions for a first time. Niamh O’Neill’s superb 1-7 from play was inspirational with every one of the side playing a pivotal role as they edged home with four points to spare.

It was Tyrone’s first success since 2009 as they took a massive step back on the road to senior football. Regrading was a key factor agreed Neamh Woods who was unable to play through injury in the decider. “We needed to get the re-grade to build for the future. Winning this title was a major step for us.”

Gerry Moane had taken the reigns of Tyrone at the start of the national league campaign when it appeared no-one wanted the job. He was understandably emotional at St Tiernach’s Park at the final whistle. “We have girls on that team today that wanted to be here. Now they have got their reward. It’s so special for some of the older girls in the side , Tyrone have waited a long time for this.”

Down, inspired by Aileen Pyers were always in the tie and she finished with 1-5 to her name. The Mourne girls battled hard and created chances but at the cutting edge they just lacked experience and another key forward. In Niamh O’Neill Tyrone had just that and the young Sperrin Og forward was quite simply superb on the day.

Tyrone held a one point half time advantage after both sides had enjoyed periods of dominance in an entertaining and pacy opening half. Tyrone were missing captain Neamh Woods whose shoulder injury had not cleared up. It certainly didn’t affect their game.

The Red Hands built up a head of steam and led 0-6 to 0-1 after ten minutes with penetrating runs from the half back line of Christiane Hunter, Tori Mc Laughlin and Cathy Donnelly opening the Down defence time and time again.  Shannon Quinn impressed around the middle and Tyrone looked to be on a roll. Emma Smyth and Laura Shavlin traded early points before the Red Hands hit five points without reply.

Smyth scored a fine brace from play, Maria Canavan landed a free while Niamh O’Neill and midfielder Meabh Mallon added to the Tyrone tally. Down steadied the ship and began to come more and more into the game. Just as Aileen Pyers and Kate McKay got the scoreboard moving for them Tyrone responded. A long ball from Hunter down the right was collected by Smyth who in a neat one two teed up Niamh O’Neill for the opening goal with a super finish under the keeper.

Down refused to panic. They upped the tempo and enjoyed plenty of possession with McKay and Jordan Magee delivering some great ball. Scores from McKay and Pyers closed the gap and they were right back in it when Chara Laverty was upended. Pyers slotted home the penalty with Grainne McClean adding an equalising point.

O’Neill scored a late brace while Pyers added another for Down and Tyrone led by one at the break.

Down created an excellent goal chance moments after the restart when Mairead Kavanagh’s effort skirted the goal-line and was cleared by alert defenders. Points were traded again with O’Neill and Smyth for Tyrone, Pyers and McClean for Down all finding the range.

Tyrone pulled away again and Emma Hegarty scored an outrageous point while another O’Neill effort left three between the sides. The Sperrin Og player also had the ball in the net again, only for it to be ruled out for a square infringement.

Scores from Pyers and McKay closed the gap again but once more Tyrone responded with the nippy Smyth and O’Neill again raising white flags with four minutes to go.

The Tyrone defence with Karen Quinn and Joanne Barrett in outstanding form tightened things up again and this time there was to be no Down comeback as Tyrone, after five wides in quick succession latched on O’Neill and Teri McCusker points to seal a four point win and a place in the all Ireland quarter finals.

Tyrone: Shannon Lynch, Karen Quinn, Joanne Barrett, Eimear Quinn, Christiane Hunter, Cathy Donnelly, Tori McLaughlin, Shannon Quinn, Meabh Mallon 0-1, Cathy McNabb, Emma Smyth 0-5, Emma Hegarty 0-1, Maria Canavan 0-1, Niamh O’Neill 1-7, Grainne Rafferty. Subs Teri McCusker 0-1 for G Rafferty, Cailin Mc Cann for C Donnelly, Siobhan Sheerin for S Quinn