Slick Tyrone upset Down

Slick Tyrone upset Down

15 January 2020

DOWN salvaged some pride with an improved second half display at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, but it was never going to be enough to overhaul a merciless Tyrone side.

Mickey Harte’s outfit, who had the wind in their backs in the first half, eased into a 1-12 to 0-4 lead by the break. 

Down were a different proposition and actually won the second 35 minutes 1-6 to 1-4, but they paid a heavy price for a listless first half and some wayward shooting after the break.

Tyrone raced into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead by the fifth minute with a goal from Conall McCann in only the third minute, followed by points from Darren McCurry and a Ronan O’Neill free.

Down wasted a lot of possession in the opening exchanges, but still managed to get on the scoreboard with consecutive points from the hard-working Sean Dornan and Conor Poland.

Tyrone, who defended in numbers and then hit on the break, set about dragging Down all over the place and scores from McCurry, McCann (0-2), Ronan O’Neill and Frank Burns had the Red Hands 1-7 to 0-2 to the good by the 23rd minute.

Pat Havern managed to reduce the leeway with a converted free for Down, but this was immediately cancelled out by a 40m free from McCurry. 

Poland, Down’s best player in the first half, lofted over another good score to leave seven points in it, but Tyrone finished the first half in a blaze of glory and unanswered points from Ben McDonnell and three from the immaculate McCurry had Harte’s warriors 1-12 to 0-4 in front at the short whistle.

Down were much more positive and direct at the start of the second half and points from Donal O’Hare, Pat Havern and Poland gave them some respite before that man McCurry pointed Tyrone into a 1-13 to 0-7 lead after 46 minutes.

Paddy Tally’s charges then wasted a few good scoring opportunities before Darren O’Hagan, with a point, Cory Quinn, with a goal and Ross McGarry, with a point, had Down only four points in arrears by the 62nd minute.

However, their unlikely fightback hit the skid pans when Jonny Flynn was sin-binned after picking up a black card and with him went any hopes Down had of getting back on level terms.

Tyrone responded with a 45’ from Brendan Gallen and a goal and a point from Ronan McHugh before Ronan McNamee completed their scoring. Liam Kerr added a late point for Down, but they were well beaten by this stage.  

Tyrone: B Gallen (0-1, ’45), HP McGeary, R McNamee (0-1), N Kelly, C McLaughlin, A McCrory, C Grimes, B McDonnell (0-1), F Burns (0-1), N Sludden, K Coney, D McCurry (0-7, 3f), K McGeary, C McCann (1-2), R O’Neill (0-2, 1f). Subs: T McCann for Sludden, R McHugh (1-1) for K McGeary, M Cassidy for HP McGeary, M O’Neill for McLaughlin.

Down: J O’Hare, G Collins, K McKernan, R McAleenan, P Laverty, D O’Hagan (0-1), R Carr, L Middleton, J Flynn, C Poland (0-3), C Quinn (1-0), B O’Hagan, C Harney, S Dornan (0-1), P Havern (0-2, 1f). Subs: L Kerr (0-1f) for Middleton, D O’Hare (0-1f) for Harney, D Guinness for Carr, R McGarry (0-1) for Havern, B Gallen for B O’Hagan.

Tyrone 2-16

Down 1-10

McKENNA CUP SEMI-FINAL