Tyrone Defeat Dublin But Can’t Beat the Drop

Sunday 23.03.2025

 

Tyrone went into their last fixture in the Allianz League knowing that escape from relegation was still a possibility but they needed to roll the dice and hope they fell in their favour. Simply put a win in Omagh and results elsewhere going their way could be enough to see the Red Hands retain their Division One status for 2026. As it was Tyrone kept their side of the bargain but unfortunately for Malachy O’Rourke’s charges wins for Mayo, Armagh and Kerry meant that in spite of a superb display and a victory over Dublin the Red Hands were consigned to Division Two football for next season.

This was as good a display as Tyrone have produced since Malachy O’Rourke took over and one that all involved in the senior set up will take great confidence from.

Darragh Canavan opened the scoring with a point from play after three minutes but shortly after that the  game was held up for a while whenTyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan injured himself when fetching a ball from among a crowd of players. Niall Scully then opened the scoring for Dublin who were struggling to cope with the pace and tenacity Tyrone were bringing to their game.

The Dubs caught a break however when Niall Morgan was caught out too far from his goal and Con O’Callaghan fired to the net. Tyrone were back on task almost immediately with a point from Matty Donnelly and a fine goal from Darragh Canavan after a defence splitting pass from Darren Mc Curry put him through.

Niall Scully and Kieran Mc Geary swapped scores before Sean Bugler made it a one point contest. Darren Mc Curry was warming to the task and himself and Peter Harte pointed to put Tyrone three in front and dominating in many areas of the field.

Dublin keeper Gavin Sheridan made an excellent save from Mc Curry but Tyrone were on the front foot and added points from Mc Curry, Morgan and Darragh Canavan with Dublin’s only response a solitary score from Sean Bugler. The half time whistle sounded and Tyrone left the field to the cheers of their supporters leading 1-14 to 1-4 but still with it all to play for.

Four minutes into the second half  and Tyrone had the first scoring opportunity of the second half. A forty five was excellently struck by the Tyrone goal keeper and the lead was now eleven points.

Dublin did up the ante after the break but the Tyrone defence stood tall with Aidan Clarke, Niall Devlin and Peter Teague not only defending stoutly but getting forward at every opportunity.

Tyrone lost Mattie Donnelly and Peter Harte to substitutions and  Sean Bugler fired over a two pointer to reduce the deficit. Mc Curry converted a thirty metre free before the outstanding Michael Mc Kernan weaved his way through the Dublin defence and then fired to the net for Tyrone’s second goal of the game leaving the home side 2-16 to 1-6 in front.

Dublin continued to push for scores but defensively Tyrone remained strong and organised. Rory Brennan, Kieran Mc Geary and Michael Mc Kernan were superb while the high catching and strong running of Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick, Ciaran Daly and Aodhan Donaghy ensured there would be no late comeback from the Dubs.

With time running out Cormac Costello and Darren Mc Curry swapped two pointers before Ruairi Canavan added a brace of late scores. The game concluded with the final point of the day from Costello to leave Tyrone worthy 2-20 to 1-16 winners. Unfortunately for Tyrone that result was not sufficient to prevent them from going down but the Red Hand supporters will now focus on the championship clash with Cavan in three weeks time.

Tyrone scorers: D Canavan 1-3, M McKernan 1-0, D McCurry 0-9, (3f, 1tpf, 1tp), K McGeary (tp), R Canavan, N Morgan (2 ’45) 0-2 each, P Harte, M Donnelly 0-1 each.

Dublin scorers: C O’Callaghan 1-0, C Cosetello 0-8 (2 tpf, 2tp), S

Bugler 0-4 (1 tp), L O’Dell (tp), N Scully 0-2 each.

Tyrone: N Morgan; A Clarke, P Teague, N Devlin; M McKernan, R Brennan, K McGeary; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; C Daly, M Donnelly, Aodhan Donaghy,  D McCurry, D Canavan, P Harte.

Subs: S O’Donnell for Donnell (41), R Canavan for Harte (57), MO’Neill for D Canavan (61), S O’Hare for Donaghy (69)