UNDER-21 FOOTBALL ULSTER QUARTER-FINAL, Second Replay: Tyrone 1-15 Down 1-10:TYRONE FINALLY got the better of Down last night to book their place in the provincial under-21 semi-final. An epic tie, which twice went to extra-time and to two replays, reached an eventual conclusion at the Athletic Grounds last night.
Tyrone found themselves six points behind early in the second quarter, but a Ronan O’Neill goal sparked a spectacular fightback and they turned on the style in the second half to win with plenty to spare.
After centre back Gerard McAnulty had opened the scoring for Down, they forged ahead with another defender, Paddy Boyle, adding a point. Devlin and Anton McArdle were also on target to increase the pressure on a Tyrone side that managed just one point in the opening quarter, a Ronan O’Neill free.
Down struck for a goal in the 18th minute, Devlin applying a classy finish past Niall Morgan. And when Savage steered over a wonderful point, Down led by six points, 1-5 to 0-2, and looked capable of pushing on for a comfortable victory. But Tyrone shot 1-4 on the spin in the space of six minutes to go ahead, with O’Neill grabbing the 25th-minute goal.
Girvan’s long ball was collected by Michael Higgins but he lost possession under pressure from Mattie Donnelly, and teenager O’Neill netted from five yards.
Points from O’Neill, Paddy McNeice and Niall Sludden edged Tyrone ahead, but the sides went in level at 1-6 each, after Ryan Brady pointed for Down.
Once Tyrone got the wind on their backs, they started to run confidently at the Down defence, and superb scores from Kyle Coney and Peter Harte had them a couple of points to the good.
Shea McGuigan, Ryan Pickering and Sludden made vital incisions as the Down men were forced onto the back foot, and O’Neill’s accuracy from frees pushed Tyrone further into the comfort zone.
Down skipper Conor Poland performed heroics in an effort to get his side back into contention, but they could never match Tyrone’s tenacity, drive and momentum. Paddy McNeice swung over a couple of placed balls, including a delightful sideline kick, as the gap grew to six with 10 minutes to play. Down had gone 22 minutes without a score when Devlin knocked over a 56th-minute free, but a late flourish fell well short.
TYRONE: N Morgan; R Pickering, R McNamee, F McQuaid; N Sludden (0-1), G Teague, S McKenna; N McKenna (0-1), R Donnelly; P McNeice (0-3, frees), P Harte (0-1), S McGuigan; K Coney (0-2), M Donnelly (0-1), R O'Neill (1-6, six frees). Subs: C Girvan for Teague, T McCann for S McKenna, J McCullagh for Girvan, S Warnock for R Donnelly.
DOWN: C Heaney; A Brannigan, M Higgins, K Quinn; P Boyle (0-1), G McAnulty (0-1), D McKibben; A McArdle (0-1), C Poland; B O'Reilly (0-1,free), P McPolin (0-1), P Devlin (1-3, one free); D Savage (0-1), C Harrison, R Brady (0-1). Subs: C Clarke for Brady, N McParland for McAnulty, Ryan O'Hare for Harrison, Donal O'Hare for Savage, A McConville for O'Reilly.
Referee: B Cassidy (Derry).
Next Up . . .
Tyrone progress to meet Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final next Wednesday (April 6th). Venue to be decided. Cavan have already accounted for Donegal in the other semi-final, and therefore await the winners in the final, which is scheduled for the following Wednesday (April 13th).
