Report: Tyrone power their way to another Ulster minor title

Ulster MFC final

Tyrone 2-16
Derry 1-12

By Michael McMullan

TYRONE retained their Ulster title with victory over Derry on Friday night in Letterkenny’s O’Donnell Park.

It’s a 26th title for the county and Gerard Donnelly’s side now face Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final next weekend.

The Red Hands showed their resolved to come back from 11 points down in the semi-final.

While they only trailed by two in Friday’s final, their third quarter was rampant.

They won kick-out after kick-out and Logan O’Connor’s goal put them on the way to victory.

Opinion: Tyrone continue doing what they do

It could’ve been even more comprehensive only for the brilliance of Derry goalkeeper Michael Doherty.

Derry got off to the best possible start with a goal from Conor O’Kane after he stripped goalkeeper O’Neill. When Tomas Gallen was unable to gather the break, O’Kane slotted home.

Matthew F Daly replied with a point but the lively Tomás Devlin hit the first of his scores.

With Connaill Campbell picking up plenty of possession Derry bossed the early exchanges on both kick-outs.

A second Devlin point had Derry four up midway through the half before Tyrone hit the net.

Brian Óg McGuckin made a run before squaring for Conan Canavan to palm home at the far post.

McDermott and Canavan exchanged two-point frees as Tyrone began to get a grip of the game.

While an Aodhan Corry point levelled matters at 1-5 each, they missed chances with McDermott and Mulholland edging Derry ahead at the break, 1-7 to 1-5.

Two pointers from Matthew J Daly and Charlie Meenan shot Tyrone three ahead early in the second half.

Edge

There was a greater edge to Tyrone. Even when Derry went short, there was intensity in their press to leave the avenue to safety a narrow one.

Tyrone’s lead could’ve been so much more only for three brilliant saves from Michael Doherty as Tyrone had a spell of midfield dominance.

Canavan and McGuckin then added points and Tyrone were six up with 40 minutes gone.

Rocco Devlin hit Derry’s first score but Tyrone worked an excellent goal, finished by Logan O’Connor for a 2-18 to 1-8 lead and on their way to victory.

Tyrone play Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final next weekend with Derry taking on Connacht champions Roscommon.

Scorers

Tyrone: Conan Canavan 1-4 (1tpf., 1 45), Logan O’Conor 1-1, Charlie Meenan 0-3 (1tp), Matthew J Daly (tp), Michael F Daly 0-2 each, Brian Óg McGuckin, Ruairi O’Neill Aodhan Corry and Conor Fyffe 0-1 each

Derry: Neil McDermott 0-4 (1tpf, 1f), Don Mulholland 0-3f, Conor O’Kane 1-0, Pól McPeake 0-2tpf, Tomas Devlin 0-2, and Rocco Devlin 0-1

Derry: Michael Doherty; Dan McEldowney, Conor Sargent, Dara McKaigue; Connaill Campbell, Joey Mullan, Jarlath McCartney; Gabriel Gormley, Conor O’Kane; Donncha Collins, Lorcan Higgins, Neil McDermott; Tomás Devlin, Tadhg Bradley, Don Mulholland
Subs: Rocco Devlin for Collins (35), Ultan McCloskey for McCartney (41), Dara McKenna for O’Kane (44), Cahir McDonnell for Devlin (52), Pól McPeake for McDermott (52)

Tyrone: Ronan O’Neill; Tiernan McCarron, James Maguire, Ciaran McCrystal; Matthew J Daly, Aodhan Corry, Conor Fyffe; Tomás Gallen, Charlie Meenan; Logan O’Connor, Brian Óg McGuckin, Ruairi O’Neill; Conan Canavan, Matthew F Daly, Vincent Gormley
Subs: Conall Shevlin for Ruairi O’Neill (44), Ciarán McKeown for Gormley (57), Caolan McKee for McGuckin (6), Finbar Quinn for O’Connor (62), Jack Muldoon for Meenan (74)

Referee: Neil McGeown (Armagh)