Tyrone Ladies Come Up Just Short

Sunday 04.08.2024

All Ireland Series

Tyrone went into the ladies All Ireland Intermediate final against Leitrim on Sunday as strong favourites in the eyes of many observers. With two divisions separating the teams and the fact that Tyrone had made it all the way to the Division Two league final only a couple of months ago many expected the Red Hand girls to see off the challenge of their opponents.

Unfortunately for Tyrone that was not how the game panned out and although they came very close to snatching a draw at the end Sean O’Kane’s side finished up on the wrong side of a 3-11 to 3-10 score line.

Leitrim signalled their intent right from the off winning the throw in and going close to snatching a goal inside the first fifteen seconds. Tyrone looked leaden footed at times as the Connacht side used their pace and physicality to create chances at will. A fifth minute Maria Canavan point steadied the nerves slightly but Leitrim’s strong running game and the pace of Laura O Dowd and Muireann Devaney helped put their team 1-1 to 0-1 ahead.

Tyrone then hit their best period of the game bagging 2-2 without reply in the space of five minutes. Aoife Horisk hit 2-1 and Chloe Mc Caffrey added a point as Tyrone moved ahead and took temporary control of proceedings. From then until half time however it was all Leitrim as the westerners produced some fabulous football and took some excellent scores. During the closing seven minutes of the half they hit 1-4 without reply to lead at the break 2-5 to 2-3. Player of the match Laura O’Dowd fired over three points while Ailbhe  Clancy added the other 1-1.

Leitrim began the second half on top adding points from Michelle Guckian (2) and Orla Flynn. Tyrone needed a change and Sorcha Gormley entered the fray. She landed a well taken point with her first possession of the day. Aoife Horisk pointed to reduce the gap further before Guckian and Chance restored the differential once more.

Midway through the second half Tyrone’s Chloe Mc Caffrey pointed to reduce the gap to four and as Leitrim began to tire Tyrone were making inroads. Unfortunately for Tyrone a black card for full back Joanne Barrett and a converted penalty from Clancy made it a seven point game.

All seemed lost for Tyrone but a point from Elle Mc Namee and a fine finish to the net by Aoibhin Mc Hugh suddenly had Tyrone back in the contest.

Leitrim led 3-11 to 3-7 but they were finding themselves under increasing pressure as Tyrone sought to close the gap. Two points from Chloe Mc Caffrey and one from Emma Conroy made it a one point game as Tyrone chased the game. With time against them they managed to turn possession over and created one last chance which would have taken the game to extra time. Unfortunately for the Red Hands the shot went to the right of the target and the hooter sounded almost immediately.

Sean O’Kane’s side had come up just short but few would begrudge Leitrim the one point win on the day. Final score : Leitrim 3-11, Tyrone 3-10.