Winning Start For Tyrone Ladies

Sunday 22.01.2023

County

Tyrone Ladies got their season off to a winning start with a well deserved 1-15 to 1-11 win over a hard working Roscommon side that ran out of time and ideas in a highly competitive second half of their Lidl sponsored National League opener.

The Rossies were on top throughout the opening half and led by two at one stage 0-6 to 0-4 as Laura Fleming, Aisling Hanly and Aisling Feeley looked busy. However Tyrone dug deep and with Emma Jane Girvan and Niamh Hughes leading the way they went in at the break tied at 0-7 apiece.

Aisling Hanly opened the scoring for the westerners but Tyrone replied almost immediately with a Grainne  Rafferty score before Niamh Hughes and Laura Fleming swapped points to leave the sides tied at 0-2 apiece after eight minutes.

Hanly clipped over a close in free to put Roscommon in front again as Tyrone squandered chances and wasted possession. However Emma Jane Gervin’s strong running and accuracy under pressure kept Tyrone in the hunt as both sides warmed to the task. A brace of points from Laura Fleming put the Rossies two clear but Tyrone stayed on task with another Girvan point.

Fleming put two between the teams with half time approaching but Tyrone refused to yield and excellent scores from captain Aoibheann Mc Hugh and Grainne Rafferty sent the sides off st the break tied 0-7 apiece.

The second half saw much greater pace and energy from Tyrone as the Red Hands upped their workrate and took the game to their opponents. Defensively they were disciplined and effective with Joanne Barrett, Emma Hegarty, Caoimhe McGee and Rebecca Barker outstanding for their team.

Up front Grainne Rafferty, Niamh Hughes, substitutes Maria Canavan and Niamh Mc Elduff got the all important scores that ensured Tyrone made the desired start to their league campaign. Nerves became slightly frayed late on when Roscommon found the net courtesy of a superb finish from Laura Fleming. That score left three between the teams but Tyrone broke the Roscommon press and Niamh Mc Elduff sealed the win with a final point deep in injury time.

Full time score: Tyrone 1-15, Roscommon 1-11

Tyrone scorers: Grainne Rafferty (0-4), EJ Gervin (0-3), N Hughes, (1-2),A Mc Hugh (0-1) M Canavan (0-4), N Mc Elduff (0-1)