NFL Score: Tyrone 1-14 Galway 0-13

Sunday 18.03.2012

It’s all over in Tuam and the winning sequence continues for Tyrone who have made it ten in a row this year – and five league wins in a row – with an excellent four point victory over Galway. This has been a good day for the Red Hands because it was a tougher examination than anything they have encountered so far in 2012 and they came through it well in the end – and not even the heavy hailstones in that first half could halt Mickey Harte’s men. We’re still waiting to find out if promotion to division one has been secured today but it’s a formality now anyway, thanks to a scintillating run of form in recent weeks. Well done to Mickey and his players again, with plenty more promise on display today in this round five league fixture. Final score Tyrone 1-14 Galway 0-13. Tyrone’s nine scorers were Peter Harte (1-0), Kyle Coney (0-5), Owen Mulligan (0-3), Martin Penrose (0-1), Cathal McCarron (0-1), Mark Donnelly (0-1), Stephen O’Neill (0-1), Sean Cavanagh (0-1) and Mattie Donnelly (0-1)

Conor Gormley has been brought in for the last few minutes of the action in Tuam, with Aidan McCrory going off after producing another very good performance again today. We’re into injury time here now and Galway have reduced the deficit to four points with a point from Pauric Joyce, so victory is not guaranteed just yet. Tyrone 1-14 Galway 0-13…

Tyrone’s eyecatching finish to this encounter continues as man of the match Kyle Coney lobs over another brilliant score to leave six points in it with time running out. Tyrone are nearly there, despite a good point at the other end from Paul Conroy. Tyrone 1-14 Galway 0-12…

Despite that numerical disadvantage Tyrone are stepping up a gear in these closing minutes as Sean Cavanagh moves his side into a five point lead with a great run and fisted point. It’s looking good here now, although Galway may not be finished yet. Tyrone 1-13 Galway 0-11…

Fourteen-man Tyrone are showing good character here in Tuam as Owen Mulligan floats over a brilliant score from a free kick to put four points between the teams again with seven minutes to go. The Red Hands are edging closer to yet another win here, and with the way results are going elsewhere, promotion could be all but secured today with two more rounds of NFL action remaining. Tyrone 1-12 Galway 0-11…

Just when Tyrone needed something to boost their hopes of victory, Stephen O’Neill knocks over a beauty to give his side a four point cushion with less than ten minutes to go, although Galway, as they have been doing all afternoon, hit back with another score quickly, so the margin is a goal once again. Tyrone 1-11 Galway 0-11…

Red Card! Tyrone are down to 14 men as PJ Quinn receives a red card after the referee has been alerted to something by an umpire, so this is going to be even tougher for Tyrone in the closing 13 minutes as they bring on Niall McKenna and Colm Cavanagh for the closing stages of this match in place of Mickey Murphy and Mark Donnelly. Tyrone certainly have a fight on their hands to come out of Tuam with a victory today. Tyrone 1-10 Galway 0-10…

The introduction of Pauric Joyce, along with the threat posed alongside him by Paul Conroy, is making a difference from a Galway perspective as Gary Sice swings over two points in quick succession, and this game is far from over here in Tuam! Tyrone’s six point lead is now down to three and Galway are posing problems right now. Tyrone 1-10 Galway 0-10…

Galway reply to Peter Harte’s goal with a point but Tyrone waste no time in stepping up their efforts again as they drive forward in brilliant style and the irrepressible Kyle Coney soon delivers three magnificent scores inside two minutes to send the Red Hands into a six point lead. This is fantastic stuff from the young Ardboe man right now. Galway pull one back but the gap is five points in Tyrone’s favour as the great Pauric Joyce comes into the action. Tyrone 1-10 Galway 0-7…

Peter Harte’s record of five NFL goals, at a rate of one strike every outing, is quite remarkable, given that he has been wearing the number 6 jersey in every match. His goal today has put some daylight between the sides for the first time and maybe Tyrone have finally shaken off Galway’s resistance. The next few minutes will tell us more, in terms of how Galway respond to this goal. Tyrone 1-7 Galway 0-6…

PENALTY FOR TYRONE! AND IT’S A GOAL! For the first time today Peter Harte really stamps his authority on proceedings with a blistering run through the heart of the Galway defence and when the Errigal man is fouled there can only be one outcome as the young centre half back drills the ball superbly to the net to maintain his unbelieveable goal scoring record in this national league campaign. Tyrone 1-7 Galway 0-6…

After missing a few chances, Galway deservedly open the second half scoring with a well taken point from Joyce, leaving the minimum margin between the teams with five minutes gone in this second half. Tyrone 0-7 Galway 0-6…

The second half is underway and Aidan Cassidy is on the field, Tyrone’s second substitute of the day. So far this has been a good test for the Red Hands but they are doing fine and the players who have perhaps done most to ensure a two point lead at this stage are Mickey Murphy, Ronan McNabb, Cathal McCarron, Owen Mulligan, Mark Donnelly and Kyle Coney. Johnny Curran pulls off a good save to deny Paul Conroy the game’s opening goal, and the same Galway man gets another chance moments later but shoots wide – two let offs for Tyrone already!

Owen Mulligan gives Tyrone a useful two point cushion with another pointed free, his second score of the match, and it’s the first time today that there has been more than a point separating the teams in Tuam. The half time whistle is blown and the Red Hands will be pleased with this two point advantage considering the way the weather turned midway through the opening period, and considering the effort Galway have put into this encounter today. Half Time Score: Tyrone 0-7 Galway 0-5…

Stephen O’Neill enters the action to a good round of applause, with Marty Penrose leaving the field, and just as Stevie is getting into position, Tyrone are back in front as Kyle Coney slots over a free kick to become the visitors’ sixth different scorer today. Tyrone 0-6 Galway 0-5…

After shaping with a lot of promise in the opening quarter, the transformation in the weather means that Tyrone are not playing with the same fluency now and Galway are making this a tough assignment for Mickey Harte’s side right now, as they end the barren spell with another equalising point, making it five points apiece entering the last five minutes of this first half. Tyrone 0-5 Galway 0-5…

The conditions have quickly turned really bad in Tuam as the hailstones continue to come down heavily and the match is being affected as a result, with Tyrone hanging on to a narrow lead after 20 minutes of play. This is not going to be anywhere near as easy as some of Tyrone’s recent outings, which is what this team needs right now…

This is clearly going to be Tyrone’s most difficult task of the league campaign to date as the Tribesmen equalise once again, but as the weather starts to deteriorate with heavy rain and hailstones, Tyrone regain the lead as Martin Penrose becomes the fifth Tyrone marksman of the day. Tyrone 0-5 Galway 0-4…

The home side are soon back on level terms but once again Tyrone respond quickly as Owen Mulligan slots over a 14th minute free to tie things up after an entertaining start to this match. Tyrone 0-4 Galway 0-3…

Galway draw level with seven minutes played but the Red Hands are quickly back in front again as Mattie Donnelly, restored to the starting line-up today, lobs over a superb score to give Tyrone a one point cushion approaching the ten minute mark. A bright opening here for both teams in Tuam and Tyrone certainly not having things all their own way. Tyrone 0-3 Galway 0-2…

After conceding the opening score of the match, Tyrone have quickly got into their stride with two excellent points from Cathal McCarron and Mark Donnelly, two players who have certainly contributed handsomely to the team’s impressive run this year, McCarron really enjoying an extended run in the wing back role and Donnelly putting in some brilliant shifts further upfield. Tyrone 0-2 Galway 0-1…

The proceedings are underway in Tuam in round five of the national football league, as Tyrone aim for a tenth straight win in 2012. Another win today would be a fifth on the bounce in the league, following an impressive five match winning run in the Dr McKenna Cup earlier in the season. Conditions are perfect here in Tuam and there’s a very good Tyrone crowd here for this encounter. Tyrone are playing as selected…

1 Jonathan Curran
2 Aidan McCrory
3 Justin McMahon
4 PJ Quinn
5 Cathal McCarron
6 Peter Harte
7 Damian McCaul
8 Michael Murphy
9 Sean Cavanagh
10 Ronan McNabb
11 Mark Donnelly
12 Matthew Donnelly
13 Kyle Coney
14 Martin Penrose
15 Owen Mulligan