Tyrone Through To U20 Ulster Final

Thursday 25.04.2024

Tyrone 2-9 0-14 Monaghan

Goals in the early stages of each half proved crucial as Tyrone qualified for an Ulster final next week against Derry.

This evening‘s game at Healy Park saw Tyrone see off a determined challenge from Monaghan. As expected, this was a much changed Monaghan line up, than the side who were easily swept aside in the group stages. Monaghan played with the breeze in the opening period, but it was the home side who got off to a perfect start. In the fourth minute, a forceful run from Shea O’Hare through a packed Monaghan defence saw the Ardboe man pass to his club mate Cormac Devlin to drill the ball to the net. Tyrone continued to be in the ascendancy in the opening quarter, Monaghan were happy to sit deep and target the twin threat of Bobby McCaul and Stephen Mooney, but as Tyrone dominated the possession points from Ruairi McCullagh and Ronan Cassidy cancelled out a brace of points from Stephen Mooney, as Tyrone reached the mid-point of the half with a three point advantage. Mooney narrowed the gap before the sharp Gavin Potter registered a point, Tyrone were guilty of coughing up possession cheaply during this period which saw Monaghan score a trio of points to level the game with 26 minutes played. A lovely Odhran Brolly point edged Tyrone ahead, but Mooney’s fifth of the half levelled it up before Eoin McElholm nudged Tyrone ahead just before the half-time whistle.

A timely block from captain Michael Rafferty prevented an early Monaghan goal, Mooney converting the resultant 45. Rafferty was to play a pivotal role at the other end in the following minute. He received a pass from Potter before squaring the ball to the onrushing Ronan Fox, who made no mistake from close range. As the game entered its final quarter points from McCullagh and McElholm, saw Tyrone pull 5 clear and looked to be heading to the final. Monaghan changed tactics and began pressing the Tyrone kick out and with Mooney in outstanding form from placed balls they began clawing themselves back into the contest. A well taken point from Conor Devlin kept Tyrone in front however, when midfielder Fionan Carolan split the posts just a point separated the sides with two minutes remaining.

A well taken Shea O’Hare point settled Tyrone nerves and although Mooney brought his tally to ten with a mark deep in injury time, it was Tyrone who had done enough for the victory by the minimum.

Tyrone defenders Ben Hughes and Joey Clarke can be pleased with their performances alongside the excellent Michael Rafferty, Shea O’Hare probably just shaded Gavin Potter for man of the match.

Tyrone C McAneney, J Clarke, B Hughes, Conor Devlin (0-1), S O’Hare (0-1), M Rafferty (capt), O Brolly (0-1), R Fox (1-0), C O’Neill, Cormac Devlin (1-0), E McElholm (0-2), G Potter (0-1), R McCullagh (0-2, 1m), R Cassidy (0-1), C Daly

Subs C Owens, N Grimes, F Donnelly, P McCann