Tyrone Senior Hurlers See Off Late Sligo Challenge

Saturday 27.04.2024

County

Tyrone defeated Sligo in Round three of the Christy Ring Cup on Saturday evening but were left hanging on at the end as the home side threw everything but the kitchen sink at them in the closing minutes. Despite being down to thirteen men the Red Hands weathered the late storm, including the concession of two penalties, to take a deserved win.

Tyrone began the game well and after a Sean Óg Grogan goal and points from Ben Gormley, Aidan Kelly, Mickey Little and Tiernan Morgan led 1-4 to 0-1. Rory Mc Hugh reduced the deficit for Sligo before Aidy Kelly and Gerard O”Kelly Lynch swapped frees.

Gormley and Tomas Cawley landed a point apiece for their sides before O”Kelly Lynch pointed again for Sligo to leave the score 1-7 to 0-5 in favour of Tyrone. The same player fired over another point but it was Tyrone who finished the half on top with a second Grogan goal sending them off at the break leading 2-8 to 0-6.

Sligo landed a brace of early points from Joe Mc Hugh and O”Kelly Lynch but three Aidy Kelly frees steadied the ship for Tyrone. Sligo were playing with a bit more fire at this stage but Tyrone matched them both individually and collectively.James Mc Cann came more into the game and his ability to find space and take scores for Tyrone proved vital as things became intense in the closing minutes.

A long range Mc Hugh free ended up in the Tyrone net to reduce the gap and gave Sligo something to fight for. James Mc Cann fired over a point but Sligo sensed they could get something out of this game and they poured forward in search of scores. O”Kelly Lynch, Cawley and Haniffy pointed to reduce the gap to five but points from Kelly and Mc Cann for Tyrone proved crucial in securing the win for Stephen Mc Garry’s side. Tyrone did concede late scores and penalties but they held on for a vital win on a final score of 2-17 to 2-14.