Tyrone Defeat Antrim In U20s

Thursday 10.04.2025

County

Tyrone 2-24 0-10 Antrim

As expected, Tyrone proved too strong for Antrim in their final group game of the Ulster Under 20 championship in O’Neill Park, Dungannon.

Following last week’s defeat in Ballybofey, the top spot in the group was beyond reach, Tyrone used the opportunity to make seven changes to the starting line-up.

Antrim had shipped some heavy defeats in early group games, set up to be difficult to break down, and to frustrate Tyrone from the outset. This policy was successful in a low-key opening quarter as Tyrone led 4-2, following points from Ruairi McCullagh and Lorcan McMurray with Paul Duffin kicking a 2 point score for the visitors.

A much improved second quarter as Tyrone dominated midfield, with Conall Sheehy particularly effective saw Tyrone extend the advantage with a free from McCullagh before excellent long range efforts from Sheehy and Liam Lawn. Antrim did reply with their second two pointer from the boot of Corey Walsh. McCullagh and Sean Boyd swapped scores before McCullagh kicked his sixth following a two point free. Conor O’Neill boomed a two pointer to stretch the lead to seven, but a brace of late points from Lorcan Philips left it 12-7, at the break.

A quick start to this second half saw the Red Hands register a brace of McCullagh points from play sandwiching a Liam Lawn effort. Philips kicked his second free of the evening, but Tyrone continued to press forward. O’Neill from a difficult angle, Joey Clarke through the middle and a Michael McElhatton point cutting in from the wing saw the lead hit ten with fifteen minutes remaining.

The recently introduced Se McDermott’s effort for a point, deceived the keeper, and went straight to the net.

Thurlach Enright did convert a two point free from the deck in the 51st minute, but this proved to be Antrim’s final score.

Fiachra Nelis and a McDermott free pushed Tyrone further clear. McDermott then kicked a two pointer from play before Lorcan McMurray got Tyrone’s second major with time almost up, almost a carbon copy of McDermott’s earlier effort. There was still time for Cookstown duo McMurray and Sheehy to complete the scoring on a comfortable evening for Tyrone.

Tyrone will play Armagh next Wednesday in the quarter finals, with Dungannon once again the venue