Tyrone Minors Through To Ulster Final

Sunday 18.05.2025

Championship Football

Tyrone 2-20 3-12 Monaghan

Tyrone has qualified for this year’s Ulster Minor final, eventually proving too strong for a gallant Monaghan side, at Healy Park in Saturday night’s quarter final.

After 17 minutes, the result looked a formality as Tyrone had raced to a 1-7 to 0-1 lead. Probably playing their best football of the season, the home side saw Thomas Meenan opening the scoring within 30 seconds. Eoin Long and James Daly were on target, with a brace from Joel Kerr and a Colton point all within the first ten minutes. Monaghan were struggling with the movement of Tyrone, and when Darren McAnespie bore down on goal in the 14th minute, Monaghan looked in trouble, his shot was well saved by Liam Mulholland but the rebound sat up invitingly, for Peter Garrity to volley home from close range.

James Ennis, who missed a couple of earlier frees, began to find his range for Monaghan’s second point, but Tyrone carved them open again as Aodhan Quinn stepped inside the arc to extend the lead before getting his fist to a long delivery for his second point, as the lead grew to nine.

Shane Byrne and a two point free from Ennis narrowed the gap, but Tyrone almost snatched their second goal. Mulholland denied Eoin Long, but on this occasion, the rebound was cleared off the line.

Monaghan responded immediately when Tyrone gave away possession in the midfield sector and Adam Treanor finished to the net. Peter Colton and Ennis swapped points before Joel Kerr turned his marker, but his powerful drive flew narrowly wide. Thomas Meenan kicked his second point to put four between the sides but remarkably, Monaghan were level at the interval. Tristan Nugent set up Shane Byrne to punch home, and Sean Murtagh’s second left it 1-10 2-7 at the break.

Colton and Murtagh had early scores before Tyrone raised a second green flag in the 35th minute. Thomas Meenan benefitted from Cathal Farley’s effort dropping short, and he fired to the net.

However Monaghan were not going down without a fight and free kicks from Murtagh and Nugent left the minimum between them with 18 minutes remaining.

Harry Hamill then benefitted from Tyrone losing possession too easily. Hamill raced through, giving Ronan Donnelly no chance in goals.

Now trailing for the first time in the contest, Tyrone didn’t panic and outscored the Farney lads 9-2 in the final seventeen minutes. Eoin Long, James Mulgrew and Peter Colton got Tyrone level, and then Joel Kerr twice smacked two point frees off the ground, and Eoin Long completed the Tyrone tally with a brace of frees.

Exceptional opening and final quarters, but Tyrone will focus on sorting out preventable mistakes which led to goals.

Cavan stand in the way of lifting an Ulster title and having already faced them twice this season. Tyrone will be well aware of the threat posed by the Breffni men. The final is scheduled for next Sunday.