Tyrone Win Buncrana Cup

Sunday 13.08.2017

Academy Football

A really good week for Tyrone football was rounded off in style when the under 16 Academy side competed in the finals of The Buncrana Cup on Saturday.

Having qualified for the last four stage of the competition a number of weeks ago the young Red Hands were paired with Cavan in the semi final. After a tough hour of football Tyrone emerged as winners defeating the Breffni lads 0-10 to 0-5. Host county Donegal defeated Monaghan in the other semi final meaning that the Tyrone would have to defeat the Tir Connail lads if they were to take home the title.

Donegal began the game well with a goal from Padraig Mc Gettigan inside the opening minute. Shane Murphy converted a Tyrone free before he was then black carded. The young Red Hands were dealt a further blow when Tarlach Quinn was also black carded.

Things were not looking good for Tyrone but a Mark Hayes point narrowed the gap to two points. Oran Mulgrew had a chance of a goal but good work by the Donegal keeper resulted in a missed opportunity. In spite of starting poorly Tyrone were now on top but were not making their possession count.

As the first half entered its closing five minutes Tyrone took the lead for the first time when Oisin Mc Hugh found the net to make it 1-2 to 1-1. With half time rapidly approaching Donegal tied the game when Shane O’Donnell scored to send the sides in level at the break 1-2 apiece.

Tyrone hit the front again with scores from Darragh Skeffington and Mark Hayes but Johnathan Toye responded with a point for the home side to narrow the gap to one. Skeffington added his second point of the half before scores from Donegal’s Josh Conlan and Cathal Gillespie had the sides level on forty minutes.

A fine point from the boot of Lorcan Mc Bride edged Tyrone in front again before substitute Alex Mc Geehin scored for Donegal to leave the teams tied at 1-6 apiece with five minutes left on the clock.

The Red Hands finished strongly and took the win and the title with a brace of points from Shane Conlon and a monster free from the boot of Lorcan Mc Bride.

Final score: Tyrone 1-9, Donegal 1-6.