GAA round-up
Tyrone won their first national senior title with a comprehensive 0-16 to 0-7 victory over a disappointing Cavan outfit in the NFL Division 1 final at Clones today.
Inspired by the dazzling duo of Peter Canavan and Brian Dooher, Tyrone were never stretched and sauntered to a much deserved title.
Art McRory and Eugene McKenna’s side have been an imposing force throughout this league campaign and have now copper fastened their credentials for a sustained championship challenge.
Mattie Kerrigan, the new Cavan manager, outlined Division 1 survival as his side’s NFL objective, so despite their below par performance today, write off last year’s Ulster finalists at your peril as the Championship looms large.
Tyrone applied a stranglehold from the throw-in and had Cavan pinned in their own half for large periods. Brian Dooher and Gerard Cavlan caused havoc on the wings as the Cavan defence failed to settle.
Seven Tyrone players scored in the opening half. It was only in the 18th minute that their opponents registered a score - Finbarr O’Reilly pointing from distance.
Tyrone, inspired by captain and man-of-the-match Peter Canavan, led by seven points at the break on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-3.
After the break, Canavan continued where he left off and drained the life out of the Cavan defence with clever runs.
He teamed up with the industrious Stephen O’Neill to score 10 of Tyrone’s 16 points and, between them, had the game finished off midway through the second half.
Meanwhile, Kerry were comfortable four point winners over Laois in the Division 2 final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
Abysmal weather conditions threatened to spoil the contest but both teams, to their credit, battled through the driving wind and rain.
Kerry faced a stiff breeze in the first half and were limited to three scores.
Colm Cooper, touted as a possible replacement for Maurice Fitzgerald, scored the opening goal after four minutes but Laois hit back 17 minutes later through Greg Ramsbottom and led by four points at half-time.
That lead was soon to evaporate as Laois struggled to find a rhythm and fluency to their play in the appalling conditions.
Kerry’s class was to eventually pay off as they stepped up a gear and finished the game off with fine scores from Cooper, Noel Kennelly and Dara O’Cinneide.
Results
NFL Division 1 Final
Tyrone 0-16 Cavan 0-7
NFL Division 2 Final
Kerry 1-9 Laois 1-5
Leinster Senior Hurling Championship - Prelims
Meath 1-9 Carlow 0-9
Westmeath 1-14 Kildare 1-10