Tyrone Ladies Face Orchard Challenge

Thursday 30.01.2020

County

Tyrone v Armagh

Silverbridge Sunday 2pm

On the back of an eight point loss on the opening weekend of the new league season Tyrone face the first of three high octane Ulster derbies this weekend as they lock horns with Armagh at Silverbridge. As the Red Hand girls were coming up short in Meath the Orchard side, one of the teams tipped already for a league final, were easing to a big win against Clare. Gerry Moane’s side face a stern test then on Sunday.

Moane was far from impressed last week and is expected to ring the changes for the Silverbridge encounter. They had trailed by nine points on a tight 3g pitch that suited Meath last Sunday. The Royals indeed had pulled fourteen points clear before 2-2 from Niamh O’Neill clawed Tyrone back but it wasn’t enough.

“It was the worst thirty minutes I can remember from these girls. We had said before the game that we wanted the girls to take the good build up to the season into this game. We didn’t want them to leave it at home. Sadly they never got going. We made changes and things improved.”

Those changes during the course of the game did have an impact and the manager was slightly happier by the end.

“We made changes and the players that came in made a difference. There was more about our play and that was pleasing. We were far more creative and we had chances, their goalkeeper made some good saves too.”

Tyrone carved out a series of goal chances last Sunday but Meath keeper Monica Mc Gurk was in inspired form. Niamh Mc Girr, Emma Brennan, Dearbhlie Gallagher and Niamh O’Neill were all denied yet Tyrone were just five points down with ten minutes to go but could not get within striking distance. Moane expects a big test against a side they almost beat last year.

“They are an excellent side , we pushed them all the way at Garvaghey  last season. It was a game we could have got something from. In the end it was poor finishing that proved our downfall. They beat Clare away from home last weekend. They cracked in five goals too. Our defence will have to be right. We need improvement from everyone.”

Moane confirmed he would be deciding on his team selection nearer the game, but that there would be changes as expected.