Hurlers fightback to earn a deserved draw

Tyrone  1-17 Donegal 0-20

A SHOT at promotion is still well within reach for the Tyrone hurlers after a battling display saw them fight back to seal a deserved draw in the final moments of this north-west derby in Division 2B of the National League at Omagh on Saturday afternoon.

Wins for both counties already in this campaign boosted their confidence. But it was the Red Hands who came good when it mattered with a great goal which transformed their fortunes in a tie which had been dominated for long periods by the visitors.

Strong individual performances highlighted the commitment of the two. Gerard Gilmore excelled for Tyrone, while Aidan Kelly proved deadly accurate for a Tyrone side whose goal was scored by corner back, Seamus Sweeney.

All the early indications also suggested that there would be little between the teams. They were level on five occasions in that opening period, but it was Donegal who eventually gained the initiative.

Aidan Kelly for Tyrone and Sean McVeigh for Donegal swapped points. It was a similar story when James McCann raced through to edge the Red Hands ahead, only to see Brian McIntyre respond for the visitors.

Donegal, though, appeared just a little more composed in attack. The strong running of Conor Browne an Stephen Gillespie created space up front, while the efforts of Sean McVeigh and former Tyrone player, Gerard Gilmore, were crucial around midfield.

Gerard Gilmore and Conor Gartland twice edged them ahead, only to be pegged back by Ben Gormley and Aidan Kelly scores.

Tyrone led by 0-5 to 0-4 approaching the end of the first quarter and appeared to be heading in the right direction when an Aidan Kelly free extended that lead to 0-6 to 0-4.

Tiarnan Morgan, Fionn Devlin and James McCann were working hard for them. But their hopes of consolidating that advantage were denied as Donegal responded strongly to leave themselves enjoying the initiative for the remainder of that opening period.

Three points in quick succession put them ahead by one, 0-7 to 0-6. Stephen Gillespie, Brian McIntyre and Gavin Browne all fired over from play to see them grab the initiative. Liam McKinney added another, as Tyrone found themselves chasing things until half-time.

The Red Hands trailed by three on two occasions and urgent action was being demanded from them to stem the tide. However, with Gerard Gilmore leading by example in the Donegal attack, the task facing the home team was clear.

Tyrone, though, found a way to finish the half in a flourish. Good possession was won by Tiarnan Morgan and Ruairi Devlin in the defence, and Lorcan Devlin inspired a late revival. His brace of scors, combined with an Aidan Kelly point ensured that, as expected, the issue was still right in the balance on an interval scoreline of 0-12 to 0-11 for Donegal.

Early points for Donegal from Conor Gartland and Conor O’Grady extended their lead on the resumption. Urgent action was again being demanded from Tyrone to retrieve matters, but three wides in quick succession proved frustrating. By then, their total was 10 to Donegal’s two.

A Joe McToal point had the potential to kick-start a revival. He raced through to stylishly fire over. However, Gerard Gilmore immediately responded for the visitors, and Ciaran McElhatton had to be on his toes with a great save to prevent them from getting a goal.

It was clear that something special was required to transform the Red Hand challenge. That something special came entering the final quarter with a great goal. It came in the 20th minute and ultimately proved to be the difference between victory and defeat for the home team.

Good around midfield saw Tyrone’s speed move the ball into the attack. There Aidy Kelly and Sean Og Grogan combined to set up corner back, Seamus Sweeney who moved forward to devastating effect by firing low and hard to the net. That brought Tyrone level on 1-13 to 0-16 and set up a grand finish to the clash.

Moments later Joe McToal scored to put Tyrone in the lead for the first time since the first half. Donegal, though, soon responded and the closing minutes produced a real whelter-scelter of excitement as both counties tried hard to swing the balance in their favour.

Two points from the ever-accurate, Gerard Gilmore, put Donegal ahead. Aidan Kelly responded with the equaliser for Tyrone. Swapped points between Gilmore and Oran McKee for Tyrone maintained the momentum.

Tyrone were defending well at this stage and they needed to be alert. Time and again Bryan McGurk, Tiernan Morgan and James McCann cleared their lines with determination and skill. Aidy Kelly, Sean Og Grogan and Joe McToal worked hard to try and get the scores that mattered.

This game was always going to go right to the wire and so it proved.

First Stephen Gillespie registered a point from out on the wing to ease Donegal ahead. However, the draw was secured deep in added time when Aidan Kelly was coolness personified to score the equaliser from a ’65.

Both teams had chances to clinch the winner in the closing moments before the final whistle from referee Kevin Parke ensured that the spoils were shared.

THE SCORERS

Tyrone

Aidan Kelly 0-10 (9f, 1 65), Seamus Sweeney 1-0, Lorcan Devlin 0-2, Joe McToal 0-2, Oran McKee 0-1, Ben Gormley 0-1, James McCann 0-1,

Donegal

Gerard Gilmore 0-9 (6f, 1’65), Stephen Gillespie 0-3, Brian McIntyre 0-2, Conor Gartland 0-2, Sean McVeigh 0-1, Gavin Browne 0-1, Liam McKinney 0-1, Conor O’Grady 0-1.

THE TEAMS

Tyrone

Conor McElhatton, Seamus Sweeney, Ruairi Devlin, Oran McKee, Bryan McGurk, Fionn Devlin, Tiernan Morgan, Ben Gormley, James McCann, Cormac Munroe, Aidan Kelly, Joe McToal, Rory Weir, Lorcan Devlin, Turlough Mullin. Subs – Mark McClean for R Devlin (65), Dean Rafferty for F Devlin (67).

Donegal

Luke White, Gavin Browne, Stephen McBride, Stephen Gillespie, Ciaran Bradley, Bernard Lafferty, Ciaran Curran, Sean McVeigh, Gerard Gilmore, John Cronally McGee, Brian McIntyre, Conor Gartland, Conor O’Grady, Oisin Grant, Liam McKinney. Subs – Sean Ward for J Cronolly McKee (53), Ruairi Campbell or B McIntyre (71).

Referee – Kevin Parke, Antrim.