Tyrone Hurlers See Off Challenge Of Monaghan

Saturday 07.11.2020

County

Tyrone senior hurlers bounced back from last week’s heavy defeat to Mayo to see off the challenge of Monaghan in the Nicky Rackard Cup on Saturday at Clontibret 2-19 to 1-12. This win takes them through to a semi final meeting next weekend with Donegal.

Mattie Lennon’s side looked unsure and lacking in confidence in the opening exchanges as Monaghan opened up an early two point lead. Fergal Rafter, Shane Mc Nally and Mark Treanor caused all sorts of problems for the Tyrone defence in the first quarter but points from Conor Grogan and Damian Casey settled the initial Red Hand nerves and Tyrone reached the first water break tied at 0-5 apiece.

From then until half time Tyrone were superb, out-scoring their opponents 1-7 to 0-4. Casey added four points to his tally while Bryan Mc Gurk impressed hitting 1-2. Kiefer Morgan, Conor Grogan and the industrious Brannan Molloy were others to get among the points before the break for Tyrone while Rafter and Aidan Burns landed points for Monaghan.

The Farney men needed to make a strong start to the second half and Aidan Burns duly obliged with an excellent goal inside the first minute. However Tyrone weathered the early storm with Dean Rafferty, Sean Paul Mc Kernan and Sean Donaghy very much to the fore.

Conor Grogan and Damian Casey (2) steadied the Tyrone ship but the Red Hands were relieved to see a Shane Mc Nally effort bounce off the post and go narrowly wide. While the first half had been something of a score fest, the second half was more of an arm wrestle. Both sides struggled for scores but Tyrone managed to keep their opponents at arm’s length and points from Bryan Mc Gurk and Damian Casey left Tyrone in a strong position going into the closing minutes.

Any chance of a Monaghan comeback disappeared in injury time when Kiefer Morgan picked up the ball just inside the Monaghan half and drove through the Farney defence before dispatching the sliotar to the back of the net. Tyrone now led 2-17 to 1-12 and buoyed by Morgan’s superb goal they added further points from Liam Armstrong and Sean Donaghy to leave the final score Tyrone 2-19, Monaghan  1-12.