Tyrone 2-11  Down 1-11

It was tense at the end but the quality and that abiding character of Tyrone saw them through to their first all Ireland final since 2018 with three points to spare over a Down side that held on to their coattails throughout.

An inspirational goal from Maria Canavan after the combined efforts of minor star Sorcha Gormley and Chloe Mc Caffrey had put Tyrone six points up with ten minutes to go but Down hung in and hit the net themselves  through Eimear Fitzpatrick and that left for a frenetic finish at Clones.

Aoibhinn Mc Hugh Joanne Barrett and Jayne Lyons were excellent for Tyrone throughout and the introduction of Meabh Mallon, Emma Mulgrew and Sasha Byrne added experience as the game continued in the melting pot. Down battled hard. Meghan Doherty, Sarah Dougherty, Laoise Duffy and Ciara Byrne did their bit but it was Tyrone’s day.

Tyrone led early on with points from Mc Caffrey before Down responded to level things through Natasha Ferris and Sarah Dougherty. A well crafted goal by Aoife Horisk after a tidy Canavan pass had Tyrone ahead again with points from Canavan, Aine Grimes and Mc Caffrey easing them four ahead by the break.

On the restart Down upped the pace and came at Tyrone but the Red Hands kept their noses in front through Canavan. However points from Niamh Mc Clory, Dougherty and Niamh King helped to keep Down in touch. The introduction of Gormley ignited the Tyrone attack and her work with Mc Caffrey teed up Canavan for a well taken goal to stretch the Tyrone lead.

As the game entered the latter stages Meabh Corrigan and Joanne Barrett stood tall for Tyrone as Down drove for an equaliser. They came close with Fitzpatrick and Amy Smith closing the gap to two but again Tyrone stepped up with Mc Caffrey and Canavan having the final say to ensure a place in the final next month.

Down Scorers: Eimear Fiztpatrick 1-2, Natasha Ferris 0-2,Sarah Dougherty  0-2, Niamh King 0-2, Niamh Mc Clory 0-1, Amy Smith 0-1, Laoise Duffy 0-1

Tyrone Scorers: Maria Canavan 1-4, Chloe Mc Caffrey 0-5, Aoife Horisk 1-1, Aine Grimes 0-1

Down: Amy Mc Giver, Aimee Greene,Ciara Byrne, Erin Sands, Clara Mulvenna, Nat Mc Kibbin, Orla Duffy, Meghan Doherty, Aoife Laverty, Alice Mc Alea, Niamh Mc Crory, Laiose Duffy, Sarah Dougherty, Natasha Ferris, Niamh King Subs Eimear Fiztpatrick For Ferris, Aine Smith For King

Tyrone: Amelia Coyle, Jayne Lyons, Joanne Barrett, Eimear Quinn, Caitlan Campbell, Meabh Corrigan, Clara Daly, Aine Grimes, Aoibhinn ,Mc Hugh, Emma Jane Gervan, Aoife Horisk, Elle Mc Namee, Maria Canavan, Emma Conroy, Chloe Mc Caffrey. Subs Sorcha Gormley For Conroy, S Byrne For Horisk, Meabh Mallon For Mc Namee, Emma Mulgrew For Daly