Tyrone Exit Mc Kenna Cup

Thursday 15.01.2026

County

Tyrone 2-10 1-15 Monaghan

A second quarter blitz was enough for Monaghan to end Tyrone ‘s interest in this year’s McKenna Cup and set up a decider with Donegal.

Playing with the breeze Tyrone opened the scoring in the first minute through Ethan Jordan, but were pegged back when the lively David Garland chipped over. Michael Conroy and Micheal Bannigan swapped points before the game’s first goal arrived in the eighth minute. Matthew Og McGleenan won the kick out, before Mattie Donnelly and Shea O’Hare combined with O’Hare setting up Aodhan Donaghy to confidently strike past Kiernan. A sweetly struck Ethan Jordan two pointer left Tyrone well placed, but Woods, O’Hanlon and Garland were driving at the Tyrone defence and creating chances. Man of the match Micheal Bannigan benefiting from a Dessie Ward assist to goal in the 21st minute to leave the minimum between them. Monaghan were to outscore Tyrone 6-1 in the remainder of the half with Andrew Woods accounting for three and a brace of points from Bannigan.

A few changes saw a much improved Tyrone in the second half, A 45 from Michael Conroy and frees from Mattie Donnelly and Conroy left a point separating the teams. A fisted point in the 44th minute from Woods saw an emphatic Tyrone reply, McGleenan fed Ciaran Bogue who drove forward and teed up Conroy to step around the keeper and restore Tyrone’s lead.

The pace of the game had increased and Shane Hanratty levelled before Conroy edged Tyrone back in front with ten remaining.

Bannigan kicked a two point free to reclaim the lead and although the Red Hands did carve out several opportunities to equalise it was the Farney men who held on with Carolan punching the insurance point deep into injury time.

Malachy O’Rourke will be satisfied with the three games for his side and the opportunity to run his eye over the panel, with the opening league fixture at home to Kildare just ten days away.