Tyrone Cruise to Opening Night Win

Wednesday 19.03.2025

County

Ulster U20 Championship Rd 1
Down 0-11 Tyrone 3-15

Tyrone U20 footballers opened up their Ulster U20 campaign in Burren against Down on Wednesday night and came away with a comprehensive thirteen point victory.

Tyrone were slow to settle in the opening half and indeed fund themselves 0-4 to 0-0 in arrears after just five minutes.  Eoghan Travers opening the scoring in the 2nd minute, followed by a two pointer from goalkeeper DJ Farrell and another point from play from the same player just over a minute later.

Tyrone opened their account in the 14th minute through a Noah Grimes free with Loughmacrory man Ruairi McCullagh scoring from play less than sixty seconds later to half the deficit.  That two point gap became a one point lead in the 18th minute.  Donaghmore man Conor O’Neill racing through the Down rearguard before smashing the ball to the net.

Down’s Eoghan Travers had the hosts back on terms in the 20th minute as he landed a two pointer from play and when Barra McEvoy clipped over a free in the 21st minute Down were a point up.  The final score of the half came in injury time.  Ruari McCullagh landing a close range free to leave the sides level at the break.  Down 0-7 Tyrone 1-4.

If the first half was nip and tuck the second half was far from it.  By the three-quarter hour mark Tyrone had added another 1-4 thanks to points from second half substitute Eoin McElholm (2), Conor O’Neill and Matthew Quinn.   The goal coming from Liam Og Mossey in the 36th minute.  Down had only a single point to show for their efforts in that third quarter.  Eoin Travers converting a free in the 33rd minute.

From there to the finish line it was all one way traffic.  Tyrone adding another 1-7 to Down’s 0-3.  Eoin McElholm finishing with 0-5, Matthew Quinn, Darragh Donaghy and Lorcan McCullagh scoring points and later substitute Michael McElhatton helping himself to 1-1.  The Down scores coming from Callan Morgan and Eoghan Travers (two pointer).  Final Score – Down 0-11 Tyrone 3-15.

Down Scorers – Eoghan Travers 0-6, DJ Farrell 0-3, Barra McEvoy 0-1, Callan Morgan 0-1

Tyrone Scorers – Eoin McElholm 0-5,  Michael McElhatton 1-1, Conor O’Neill 1-1, Liam Og Mossey 1-0, Matthew Quinn 0-2, Darragh Donaghy 0-2, Ruairi McCullagh 0-2, Lorcan McCullagh 0-1, Noah Grimes 0-1

Referee – Niall McKenna (Monaghan)