Red Hands March into Last Sixteen

Saturday 29.06.2019

County

Tyrone moved a step closer to the Super 8’s with a ten point win over Kildare in St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge last night. The Red Hands had just too much strength and firepower for a Kildare side whose cause wasn’t helped by the sending off of full back Mick O’Grady midway through the second half.

Tyrone produced a sparkling opening quarter in the first half to lead the contest 1-6 to 0-3 by the 24^thminute.  Peter Harte opened the scoring in the 4^thminute following a foul on midfielder Brian Kennedy.  Kennedy would find himself on the sideline a short time later after he picked up a black card.  Tyrone’s early dominance would be rewarded with a 7^thminute goal from wing half back Michael Cassidy after an excellent Niall Sludden pass.  Harte then hit his second point from play before Kildare eventually opened their account in the 11^thminute through Neil Flynn.  Tyrone outscored the Lilywhites 0-4 to 0-2 during the next quarter of an hour.  Points from Rory Brennan, Colm Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly and Darren McCurry drew responses from Fergal Conway and Neil Flynn who landed a nice free from 40 metres.

The game looked like it was going away from Kildare at this point but a sideline incursion from their manager Cian O’Neill seemed to spark them into life.  A Fergal Conway point was quickly cancelled out by Frank Burns before Tyrone got a wake up call as Kevin Feely ghosted into the box and slammed the ball past Niall Morgan. That score brought Kildare to within three points and that gap was reduced to two when Adam Tyrrell slotted a free.  A Peter Harte free and a point from Darren McCurry eased Tyrone nerves approaching the break and it was left to Fergal Conway to hit the last score of an entertaining opening half.  Half Time: Kildare 1-9 Tyrone 1-6.

Kildare needed a fast start to the second half but it didn’t come as Tyrone added to their advantage through Frank Burns, Cathal McShane, Mattie Donnelly and Harte.  Two Kevin Feely points off the right and left boot gave the Lilywhites hope of a recovery but that was short lived.  A strong run from McShane resulted in black card for O’Grady and with him went any hope of a result for the home side.  Tyrone found another gear and set for home.  Harte hit a majestic point off the outside of the boot and further scores from McShane and Harte enhanced the Red Hands lead.  The result was confirmed in the 65^thminute when McCurry turned the ball to the net following a pass from sub Michael McKernan. Adam Tyrrell and Neil Flynn did add a couple of points for Kildare as Tyrone finished the contest with points from Connor McAliskey, Cathal McShane, Mattie Donnelly and Man of the Match Peter Harte.

Kildare: M Donnellan, M Dempsey, M O’Grady, P Kelly (0-1), C O’Donoghue, E Doyle, D Hyland, F Conway (0-3), K Feely (1-2), D Slattery, C Healy, K Cribben, A Tyrrell (0-5, 4f), B McCormack, N Flynn (0-3, 2f)

Kildare Subs: J Hyland for B McCormack, M Barrett for C Healy, T Moolick (0-1) for K Cribbin, E O’Flaherty for D Slattery

Tyrone, N Morgan, HP McGeary, R McNamee, R Brennan (0-1), M Cassidy (1-0), K McGeary, F Burns (0-2), C Cavanagh (0-1), B Kennedy, M Donnelly (0-3), N Sludden, P Harte (0-7, 3f) , D McCurry (1-2), C McShane, (0-5,2f), C Meyler

B McDonnell for Brian Kennedy BC, M McKernan for K McGeary, C McAliskey (0-1) for N Sludden, K Coney for D McCurry, C McLaughlin for HP McGeary, A McCrory for M Cassidy

Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)