Trip to Tipp sure to test Tyrone

TYRONE Ladies face another big test when they travel to meet Tipperary on Sunday at Fethard in the National League.

The visitors come into the contest off the back of a solid victory over Westmeath last time out. They have six points on the board now, sitting in mid-table and after this weekend have one game at home to Cavan left.

Injuries have played a key part in this league campaign for Sean O’Kane and his side and those issues were added to at Mullingar when Aoife Horisk was taken to hospital after a collision and Chloe McCaffrey, whose goal sparked a great fightback, also picked up an ankle injury. Thankfully Aoife was discharged later that evening with no serious damage reported by the Errigal Ciaran player.

The outing against the Midlanders was impressive at times. Aoife McGahan hit some fine points, and there were also excellent scores from Horisk and McCaffrey. O’Kane however pointed out that it was very much a team effort as they secured their second win of the season.

They had trailed through the first twenty minutes but as the game wore on Tyrone grew into the task, playing some good football. It was probably their best outing this year, with Niamh Hughes and captain Aoibheann McHugh also leading by example.

The news on injuries remains mixed for O’Kane who helped guide UUJ to the Giles Cup last weekend with Tyrone pair Orlagh Mulgrew and Aimee Daly part of the successful side.

Mulgrew’s sister Emma is making steady progress after surgery but is a way off while Sasha Byrne and Maria Canavan are among players who are also slowly coming back. McCaffrey is still sore after she rolled an ankle in Mullingar and Horisk will be monitored ahead of Sunday.

Second placed Tipp have lost just a single game in the league against Laois but they remain well placed for promotion and manager Peter Greedon states that going up remains the target.

The Cork native certainly had a difficult first season, but the inclusion of Aishling Moloney is a boost to them.

“We are delighted to have Aishling back to the group” explained Greedon, although it’s reported this week that the Cahir player could be about to switch to Aussie Rules with discussions between her and several clubs at an advanced stage.

She will though be available on Sunday and Tyrone will be well aware of her quality after she broke Red Hand hearts in the 2017 All-Ireland Final.