Harte-break for misfiring Down

Harte-break for misfiring Down

6 February 2013 - by BY MARK FITZSIMONS

MARK Donnelly’s 50th minute goal proved to be the difference as Tyrone left the Marshes with two points in tow after a scrappy NFL opener on Saturday night.

Donnelly’s major gave Mickey Harte’s side the lead for the third time in the game and despite Donal O’Hare’s three-pointer for Down a minute later, the Red Hands held strong to see out the game with a three-point cushion.

Down were fancied to take all the spoils on their home turf, but they were forced into making two changes from the team that was named in the programme. Brendan McArdle came in to replace Darren O’Hagan in defence while hamstring trouble meant that Paul McComiskey had to give way to Burren’s Donal O’Hare.

Tyrone made one personnel change with Justin McMahon taking the place of newcomer Plunkett Kane.

Four-time All-star Sean Cavanagh was the man who got the game’s first score. The star of the McKenna Cup pointed a free in the first minute after Damien Turley fouled the tricky Conor McAliskey.

Down were soon back on terms as Benny Coulter equalised after receiving a great pass from Kevin McKernan. Coalisland’s McAliskey then put Tyrone ahead for the second time when he evaded Damien Turley before slotting over with his right foot.

Tyrone wouldn’t score again for another 12 minutes as Down reeled off four points in a row. The talented Connaire Harrison, on his NFL debut, scored the equaliser after getting on the end of a well-worked team move.

Down won a short kick out as the ball found its way to Benny Coulter. Coulter fisted the leather to Ryan Mallon who then slipped it to his Warrenpoint club mate Ryan Boyle. Boyle spotted Harrison on the loop and the Glasdrumman sharpshooter let fly with his left foot to make it 0-2 apiece.

A 40 yard free from Donal O’Hare gave Down the lead for the first time before some sloppy play nearly let Stephen O’Neill in for a goal on 11 minutes.

James McCartan’s outfit responded well to their lucky escape as Benny Coulter had himself his second point of the contest on 14 minutes. Conor Laverty built from the back and released the ball to Harrison who had the beating of Conor Gormley. Harrison spotted Coulter and the Mayobridge stalwart pointed with his left.

Donal O’Hare doubled his tally with another converted free a minute later before Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan glided over a free after Kalum King had fouled Sean Cavanagh.

Down had a chance to extend their lead by three on 20 minutes, but young Michael Cunningham slipped as he attempted a 45’. Ryan Mallon made no mistake in the resultant attack as he rampaged forward, fended off a challenge from Mark Donnelly and split Morgan’s sticks to leave Tyrone trailing by three.

Mallon was then on hand to extend his side’s lead by four, 24 minutes in. He took the initiative to attack after Down short passed their way around the middle third. The Warrenpoint man galloped forward with purpose and calmly finished over the black spot.

Not making the most of their possession proved costly for Down as the dangerous Conor McAliskey brought it back to a three point game as he once again got past Damien Turley to slice over.

This piece of action marked the end of Turley’s involvement as he was replaced by Bredagh’s Owen Costello.

With six minutes of the half remaining the home side should have scored the game’s first goal.

The energetic Ryan Boyle attacked from deep before seeking out Benny Coulter. Coulter headed towards goal, but his shot slammed against a Tyrone defender and Donal O’Hare fumbled the rebound as Tyrone secured a let off.

Down were obviously disappointed at failing to make the most of the goal chance and they failed to push on in the final five minutes. Tyrone were able to point through net minder Niall Morgan from a 45’ as they managed to get themselves within two points of their hosts at Barry Cassidy’s short whistle.

Clann na Gael’s Stephen O’Neill was first to register after half-time as straight from the restart he pointed after getting on the end of some good play from Sean Cavanagh.

Down were soon back on track and on 40 minutes Donal O’Hare pointed another free to make it 0-8 to 0-6 in Down’s favour.

The contest was now becoming tetchy with indiscipline being shown on both sides. It took another Stephen O’Neill minor score to get the duel back on track.

O’Neill’s promptings boosted Tyrone’s confidence and on 48 minutes they were back on level terms. Peter Harte, who was having a growing influence on proceedings, drove forward with purpose.

He offloaded to Ryan McKenna who sent the ball across the goal. Substitute Conor Clarke sensed a goal chance, but he then opted for a point. Tyrone then delivered the killer blow on 50 minutes. Yet again Down needlessly gave away possession in their own half.

Martin Penrose was the grateful recipient as he drilled the ball into McAliskey on the 14 yard line. Mark Donnelly spotted the opening and rushed through unmarked taking receipt of McAliskey pass before slamming the ball to Michael Cunningham’s top corner.

Down’s response was instant. Dundrum’s Paul McComiskey had just entered the fray when he delivered a long searching ball into the Tyrone danger area. Connaire Harrison scrambled for possession and unselfishly slipped the ball across to Donal O’Hare who palmed into Niall Morgan’s net. This response brought the match back to 1-8 each.

The two goals threatened to liven the game up, but unfortunately it degenerated into a foul-ridden war of attrition. Down wouldn’t score for the rest of the game while Tyrone would go on to add a further trio of scores through Conor Clarke and frees from Sean Cavanagh and Stephen O’Neill.

Down started to persistently foul and saw a flurry of yellow cards coming their way with Conor Laverty seeing red on 69 minutes. Previous to this, Tyrone’s Joe McMahon got his marching orders on 55 minutes after a sideline alteration with Down selector Jerome Johnston.

Despite hitting less wides and gaining more of the ball in the middle third than their opponents, Down might wonder how they didn’t win this game. Michael Cunningham was steady in goals, pulling off a couple of fine saves. Ryan Boyle and Ryan Mallon were the best exponents in a defence which committed too many fouls and surrendered possession too easily at times.

Kalum King had a strong influence  and Kevin McKernan provided a good foil. Connaire Harrison was superb in the full forward line.

Final score: Down 1-8 Tyrone 1-11

Down: M. Cunningham, D. Turley, D. McCartan, R. Boyle, R. Mallon (0-2), A. Carr, B. McArdle, K. King, K. McKernan, K. Quinn, M. Poland, B. Coulter (0-2), C. Laverty, C. Harrison (0-1), D. O’Hare (1-3, 3F). Subs: O. Costello for D. Turley, P. McComiskey for King, R. Kelly for Poland, C. Garvey for Mallon, P. Turley for Quinn.

Referee: B. Cassidy (Derry).

Tyrone: N. Morgan (0-2, 1F), A. McCrory, C. Gormley, C. McCarron, R. McKenna, Joe McMahon, R. McNamee, Justin McMahon, S. Cavanagh (0-2, 2F), K. Gallagher, P. Harte, Mattie Donnelly, C. McAliskey (0-2), S. O’Neill (0-3, 1F), Mark Donnelly (1-0). Subs: C. Clarke (0-2) for McNamee, M. Penrose for Gallagher, R. O’Neill for McAliskey, P. McNeice for Mark Donnelly.