Tyrone Come Up Short

Sunday 22.02.2026

County

Tyrone 0-13 1-15 Louth

A second defeat on the road has plunged Tyrone into a relegation dogfight. Louth outplayed Tyrone in the second half to secure a much needed victory and overtake the Red Hands in the table.

Tyrone’s defeat is hard to comprehend considering how well they played in the first half. Facing into a severe breeze Tyrone started confidently, they maintained possession for the opening four minutes, without troubling the umpires. It was the home side who opened the scoring through Kieran McArdle in the 6th minute. Disaster struck for Tyrone in the subsequent kick out, McArdle intercepted and Ciaran Downey lobbed Niall Morgan to raise a green flag.

Tyrone recovered with Darragh Canavan on target twice in as many minutes. Using the wind, Conor Grimes hit the first of three two pointers for Louth in the opening half. Michael McKernan and Ciaran Daly were both on target before Sam Mulroy and Dara McDermott raised orange flags, as the lead grew to five.

Tyrone finished the final ten minutes strongly. Brian Kennedy was in control around the middle. Canavan, Ronan Cassidy and the final score of the half from Canavan after Tyrone controlled possession for the final ninety seconds saw Louth lead 1-8 to 0-8 at the break.

Whether it was complacency or expecting the scores to flow, the second half was disastrous from a Tyrone point of view

The majority of the sell out crowd in Ardee expected Tyrone to push on for victory but it never happened.

The failure to raise an orange flag, missed frees and poor shooting all contributed to a miserable half of football from the RedHands.

Seanie O’Donnell’s point in the 48th minute left the score 0-11 1-10, the recently introduced Tommy Durnin then picked up a black card in the next attack and Tyrone looked in pole position. However Tyrone failed to take advantage.

Tyrone conceded a breach and with Craig Lennon having a greater influence the home support sensed victory. The Red Hands wides continued to mount up.

Scores from Darragh Canavan and substitute Darren McCurry left two points between with eight minutes left. Ethan Jordan was unlucky to see his two point effort come back off the upright as Tyrone struggled to draw level.

Louth were now in control and dominated the latter stages with Mulroy twice from frees and Lennon point seeing Louth deservedly securing both points with five the difference at the full-time whistle.