Tyrone See Off Down Challenge In Mc Kenna Cup Semi

Sunday 12.01.2020

County

Tyrone 2-16 Down 1-10

Mickey Harte’s Tyrone side enjoyed a very impressive opening thirty five minutes on Sunday before they reached the break eleven points clear in their Bank of Ireland Dr Mc Kenna Cup semi final clash against Down.

With their pride bruised a resurgent Down side bounced back in the second half to narrow the gap to four points with less than ten minutes remaining. However the loss of midfielder Johnny Flynn allowed Tyrone to regain the momentum and the Red Hand county out-scored their opponents 1-3 to a point to claim a 2-16 to 1-10 victory.

Tyrone had the wind at their backs in the first half and they made full use of it to build up a healthy 1-12 to 0-4 lead. The Red Hands were dominant in all sectors of the field as they hunted in packs at the back while up front they took some superb scores with Darren McCurry on fire with 0-6 to his name.

The Red Hands got off to a dream start with a 3rd minute goal from Conall McCann after he was brilliantly picked out by a quick free from the industrious Niall Sludden. McCurry and Ronan O’Neill tagged on points to leave Tyrone five clear with as many minutes gone on the clock. Sean Dornan then opened Down’s account in the 7th minute and Conor Poland added another moments later but it was Tyrone who continued to dictate the pace of the game.

McCurry and McCann (2) scored from distance with the hard working Frank Burns getting his name on the score sheet as well. Pat Havern and Poland had points either side of a free from the accurate McCurry. Ben McDonnell then hit a peach from distance with McCurry adding another trio of scores to leave the holders well on top at the short whistle.

Down were much improved after the break as they committed more players to the attack and pushed up on Tyrone’s kick outs. The Red Hands struggled at times in the second half to break out from defence as Down got the bit between their teeth. Whatever words of inspiration Paddy Tally delivered during the break drew the right response from his players as points from Donal O’Hare, Pat Havern and Conor Poland showed the Mourne men were far from finished.

Darren Mc Curry hit his seventh point of the game to steady any Tyrone nerves but Down refused to throw in the towel. Team captain Darren O’Hagan pointed before Cory Quinn found the net to give his team renewed hope. When Ross Mc Garry fired over a long range free to reduce the gap to four points with plenty of time left, some Tyrone nerves began to jangle.

However Ronan Mc Namee and Frank Burns steadied the ship with some mature defending before the Aghyaran contingent added 1-3 to seal the win.  Benny Gallen converted a forty five before Ronan Mc Hugh struck low and hard to the net to end the game as a contest. With time almost up Ronan Mc Namee struck over a fine point and this was followed up almost immediately by another fine score from the returning Mc Hugh.

Tyrone will now face Monaghan in the final which will be held next Saturday night in Armagh.

Tyrone: Benny Gallen (0-1) 45, HP McGeary, Ronan McNamee (0-1), Niall Kelly, Ciaran McLaughlin, Aidan McCrory, Conall Grimes, Ben McDonnell (0-1), Frank Burns (0-1), Niall Sludden, Kyle Coney, Darren McCurry (0-7, 3F) Kieran McGeary, Conall McCann (1-2), Ronan O’Neill (0-2, 1F). Subs: Tiernan Mc Cann for Niall Sludden, Ronan Mc Hugh (1-1) for Kieran Mc Geary, Michael Cassidy for HP Mc Geary, Michael O’Neill for Ciaran Mc Laughlin, 

Down: John O’Hare, Gerard Collins, Kevin McKernan, Ryan McAleenan, Pierce Laverty, Darren O’Hagan(0-1), Ross Carr, Sean Dornan (0-1), Johnny Flynn, Conor Poland (0-3), Cory Quinn (1-0), Barry O’Hagan, Ciaran Harney, Pat Havern (0-2, 1F), Liam Middleton. Subs: Liam Kerr (0-1) for Liam Middleton, Donal O’Hare (0-1) for Ciaran Harney, Daniel Guinness for Ross Carr, Ross Mc Garry (0-1) for Pat Havern, Brendan Gallen for Barry O’Hagan.

Referee:: Dan Mullan, Derry