Tyrone Minors Produce Best Display Of The Year

Saturday 27.04.2024

County

Tyrone 4-13 0-10 Monaghan

Tyrone completed the league section of their Ulster championship campaign, with three victories out of four following a clinical dismissal of Monaghan in Ardboe. Four second half goals reinforced their dominance as they proved too strong for the Farney men.

Monaghan arrived in buoyant mood following a highly impressive victory over Down while Tyrone had secured a victory over Fermanagh despite a patchy display. Electing to play against the breeze Tyrone started on the front foot dictating the pace and raced into a three point advantage after ten minutes after early points from Peter Colton and Lorcan McMurray. Cian Rafferty who was to give an exhibition of free taking, opened Monaghan’s account in the 12th minute. Tyrone continued to dominate and further scores from Liam McGeary and McMurray extended the lead,

Free takers Killian Kearns and Shea McDermott swapped points before Tyrone’s leading marksman McMurray added a brace. Evan Treanor did manage Monaghan’s first score from play as the half drew to a close before Enda Donaghy and Conor Meehan registered for their respective sides, as Tyrone led 9-4 at the short whistle.

Kearns opened the scoring with a free before a surging run from Sean Corry set up Sean Og Teague for the easiest of finishes and effectively ended the game as a contest in the 33rd minute. Liam McGeary kicked his second as Tyrone’s lead reflected their all round play. Frees from Kearns and Rafferty narrowed the gap, but when Davin McKeown forced a turnover in the midfield, Shea McDermott raced through the middle and produced a tidy finish.

Minutes later the Monaghan keeper was caught out a long way from goal and Jamie Concannon cooly finished from 30 metres to the net as the game entered its final quarter. Further points from Concannon and Colton pushed Tyrone further clear before Darren McAnespie applied the icing on the cake with a fourth goal in injury time.

This was undoubtedly Tyrone’s best performance of the year, this result still gives them a chance to top the table and a home semi final, otherwise it will be a home quarter final. All will be decided following Monaghan’s meeting with Donegal, next weekend.

Tyrone O Watson, P McGinley, P Goodman, E Conway, S Corry, D McKeown, A Quinn, E Donaghy (0-1) ,P Colton (0-2) P Donaghy, J Concannon (1-2), S Teague(1-0), L McMurray (0-5,1f), S McDermott (1-1,1f) L McGeary (0-2)

Subs E Mansell, P McGoldrick, D Devlin, F McHugh, D McAnespie (1-0)