Tyrone Ladies Pushed All The Way

Monday 30.06.2025

County

Tyrone ladies made it through to the All Ireland Intermediate semi finals after they defeated an excellent Fermanagh side in their quarter final contest at Kildress on Sunday.

There was little between the sides throughout an absorbing contest and it was no surprise that the game went to extra time before a couple of flashes of brilliance from Sorcha Gormley finally secured the win for Darren Mc Cann’s team.

Tyrone settled quickly and points from Sasha Byrne and Aoife Horisk put them in front. Fermanagh replied with a well struck free from the highly talented Eimear Smyth but Tyrone then added three points courtesy of Emma Conroy, Slaine Mc Carroll and Horisk again to lead 0-5 to 0-1.

The response from the Ernesiders was hugely impressive as they outscored Tyrone from then until half time six points to two. That burst of scoring allowed them to go in at the break tied at 0-7 apiece following four points from Smyth and one apiece from Aoife Mc Cabe and Bronagh Smyth. Tyrone were finding Fermanagh’s direct football and strong running hard to cope with but managed to points from Gormley and Elle Mc Namee as the teams reached the break with nothing between them.

The teams swapped points early in the second half before Fermanagh were awarded a penalty which was excellently dispatched by Eimear Smyth. Tyrone responded well and a brace of points from the boot of Aoife Horisk reduced the gap to a single point.

Fermanagh replied with points from Molly Mc Gloin and Smyth to lead by three before a point from the hard working Gormley made it a two point game.

Tyrone threw on Emer Mc Canny and the Omagh player immediately put her team on the front foot. She swapped scores with Eimear Smyth before a brace of points from Horisk put Tyrone one in front with time running out.

Fermanagh went for broke and drew level with a late score from who else but Smyth to take the game to extra time.

Tyrone opened the scoring after the restart courtesy of Mc Canny before 1-1 from Joann Doonan put Fermanagh three clear. Aoife Horisk reduced the gap to two as the referee sounded the half time whistle. When Eimear Smyth pointed to put her team  three clear after the restart it didn’t look good for the Red Hands. However a Niamh O’Neill point gave them hope before Tyrone were awarded a penalty when Aoife Horisk was pulled to the ground inside the small square.

Up stepped Sorcha Gormley to convert the penalty and put her team one in front. As Fermanagh struggled to recover Gormley added a second goal and another point to seal the win for Tyrone on a score line of Tyrone 2-20 Fermanagh 2-15.