Minors Qualify For Semi Final

Sunday 19.05.2019

County

Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Championship
Down 1-10 Tyrone 1-15

Tyrone minors made it through to the Ulster semi final on Sunday but only after they were forced to come from behind against a Down team that will look back at this game and wonder how they allowed the match to slip from their grasp.

Showing four changes from their listed team Tyrone took to the field with Shea Daly positioned as sweeper. The big Rock man’s presence and scoring threat was missing up front and it’s hard to say whether the idea of playing him as sweeper worked as effectively as was hoped for.

Tyrone struggled to find their rhythm in the first half and were very dependent on Mark Devlin’s free kicks to keep them in the game. The Red Hands were denied twice by superb saves from Down goalkeeper Aodhan Furlong in a first half that saw Down reach the break in a strong position leading 0-8 to 0-6. Scores from Murdock, Magill, Crimmins and Mc Loughlin helped send the Mourne lads in at half time in a strong position.

Tyrone began the second half well with points from Daly and Fullerton to level the game. A tenth minute goal from John Mc Govern put Down in the ascendancy once again. Tyrone looked flat and lacked energy as the home side dictated the pace of the game. A Fullerton free was cancelled out by a fine score from Crimmins to maintain his team’s three point lead.

Red Hands manager Collie Holmes rang the changes and Tyrone suddenly found their feet. Fullerton and Devlin hit 1-5 between them as Tyrone finished the game strongly to win by five. Next up for Tyrone is a semi final clash with neighbours Derry.