Relegation For Tyrone Follows Kerry Draw

Sunday 05.04.2015

Club

Tyrone regained some of their pride following this afternoon’s 0-17 to 1-14 draw with reigning All Ireland champions Kerry. Tony Donnelly was once again on the sideline following the manager’s recent operation while Johnny Curran, Dermy Carlin and Joe Mc Mahon were added to the panel. Indeed Curran took over in goals for Niall Morgan who had not recovered sufficiently from the injury he sustained against Donegal.

Mickey Harte’s side came into this game knowing that a two point win would guarantee them Division One football for 2016. The way the other results in the division went a win of any size would have been enough for Tyrone and condemned Kerry to life in the second division next year.

Kerry travelled to Omagh with all their big guns on board and were out early for a very intensive warm up. The Munster side looked like they meant business and opened the scoring with a point from Johnny Buckley but it was Tyrone that played the better football during a competitive and entertaining first period. Points from Sean Cavanagh, Darren Mc Curry and Peter Harte put Tyrone into an early lead. Kerry struggled to penetrate the Red Hand rearguard and frustration grew among the men in green and gold.

With five minutes to the break Matty Donnelly, playing deep in defence, and Ronan Mc Nabb scored two superb points to put Tyrone 0-7 to 0-5 ahead but Kerry responded with points from Sheehan and Buckley to level the game. Tyrone however had the final say of the half with Sean Cavanagh’s third pointed free sent his team in 0-8 to 0-7 ahead.

The quality of the game and the level of exchanges were certainly competitive in the opening half and that pace was maintained after the break. Kerry made a couple of switches which caused the Tyrone defence several worrying moments. Kieran Donaghy was coming more into the game and it came as no surprise when Kerry bagged a forty fifth minute goal from Paul Guiney.

That score put Kerry four in front and seemingly in control but Tyrone refused to yield or panic and led by Colm and Sean Cavanagh, Ronan Mc Nabb and Matty Donnelly they fought their way back into the game. Tyrone created four great chances of goals during a very exciting second half including a rasper of a shot from Matty Donnelly that cannoned off the post in the last minute.

Unfortunately for Mickey Harte’s side time ran out and although they came away with a creditable draw the result meant relegation and Division Two football for next year.

Tyrone – J Curran, A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron, R McNabb (0-1), Justin McMahon, P Harte (0-1), C Cavanagh, P McNulty, T McCann, M Donnelly (0-1), R McKenna, D McCurry (0-7, 2f), S Cavanagh (0-6, 6f), P Hughes. Subs – Joe McMahon (0-1) for McNulty, C McAliskey for Hughes, PJ Lavery for McCann, R O’Neill for Justin McMahon, C McCann for McKenna