Superb Second Half Seals Win For Tyrone

Saturday 24.02.2024

County

A more structured Tyrone attack led by the outstanding Darragh Canavan gave Mayo countless headaches. Canavan’s  expert link play and score taking saw the Errigal star deservedly claim man of the match with McCurry and Canavan accounting for 1-12 of their team’s  total.

Tyrone’s ability to disrupt the Mayo kick out paid huge dividends.When called upon the defence stood firm, with important blocks and interceptions at vital stages to extinguish any thoughts of a Mayo comeback. A contentious penalty separated the sides at half time. Cormac Quinn was adjudged to have prevented Jordan Flynn from scoring a goal and was shown a black card in the 22nd minute with Cillian O’Connor converting the resultant spot kick.

Tyrone had opened the scoring, a super long-range pass from Niall Morgan allowed Darragh Canavan to split the posts in the 7th minute. The home side was punished for the concession of frees by Cillian O’Connor, which sandwiched a Stephen Coen point from the wing to give Mayo the lead.

A brace of Peter Harte frees levelled proceedings as we reached the mid-point of the half. Following the penalty, Tyrone did well to manage the game, restricting Mayo to a further point and finishing the half on the front foot with a Darragh Canavan free to leave a goal between the sides at half-time.

Tyrone started the second half on fire and managed to maintain the intensity throughout the second period. By the 40th minute, Tyrone were level and in a fantastic third quarter assumed control. A Hennelly free kick was Mayo’s only score. However, Morgan made a huge catch above his bar to deny a certain score.

Tyrone’s goal arrived in the 12th minute of the half. Niall Devlin’s pass fed Daly who linked with McCurry and Harte to release Canavan. Despite coming under intense  pressure he confidently fired the ball low and past Hennelly.

Seanie O’Donnell fired over when there was a goal opportunity minutes later but with McCurry unerring Tyrone moved six clear. Points from Fergal Boland and substitute Ryan O’Donoghue were merely consolation as Tyrone ran out convincing 4 point winners.

Both Michael McKernan and Seanie O’Donnell picked up injuries, unfortunately O’Donnell had to be stretchered off the pitch, hopefully both aren’t too serious as Tyrone look forward to visiting Kerry next week.