Tyrone secure safety with gritty win over Monaghan

Tyrone 1-19  Monaghan 2-13

A PLACE in the top flight of the National League for the 2025 season is now virtually secure for Tyrone after a determined display on Saturday night at O’Neills Healy Park saw them gain two vital points on the table as they nudged aside Monaghan’s challenge.

Results elsewhere in Division One at the weekend mean that only a mathematical disaster will now deny the Red Hands their status next season. Dublin in Croke Park will mark the climax to what has been a mixed campaign for Tyrone.

Darragh Canavan’s sublime goal in the first half set Tyrone on the way to a very important victory. His skill, speed and spacial awareness were top class as he raced through before hitting the net in magnificent fashion. From then on, there was only going to be one winner and it was the home team who pressed ahead.

This was a crucial match for both counties as their respective battles against relegation approached a climax. Monaghan have proven to be the masters of the great escape in recent years, but this defeat means that their luck has run out in 2024.

It was clear from the start of this clash that there would be no quarters asked or given. The two teams showed their intent with a blistering start laced with open and attacking football that resulted in a series of fine scores.

Kieran McGeary marked his starting return for Tyrone by spearheading their early efforts. He grabbed the initiative, and within minutes had helped the Red Hands into a 0-3 to no score advantage. Darren McCurry’s free, then a point courtesy of Darragh Canavan settled them, before Kieran McGeary fired over with a point on the counter-attack.

Tyrone were looking good, but that early confidence was dented when Monaghan suddenly burst into action. A great run forward from Michael Bannigan found Jack McCarron who made no mistake with a great goal. That brought the teams level, and with Conor McManus and Ryan McAnespie on form, the visitors looked set to make a big impact despite playing against the wind.

Aodhan Donaghy added a point, Darren McCurry converted from an offensive mark and Ben Cullen raced through to leave the Red Hands 0-6 to 1-1 ahead. They were maintaining the moment, as Darren McCurry also registered a point.

More importantly, was the intensity that Tyrone displayed. Time and again Ben Cullen, Seanie O’Donnell and Kieran McGreay made crucual runs. Their movement in the attack was having a telling impact, and they soon enjoyed a lead which reflected their confidence.

Monaghan, though, initially remained in touch. Conor McManus increased their total, although Tyrone always held the upper hand and were soon to consolidate their advantage.

It was Darragh Canavan who really excelled. He converted two frees, before an absolutely brilliant goal saw him enliven this clash. The goal was a classic, with the move beginning when Niall Morgan didn’t allow a Darren Hughes shot to go wide and instead placed a perfect pinpoint pass to Darragh Canavan. With open space stretching in front, he raced through, held off the Monaghan challenge and unleashed a great half-volley to the net after running 40 metres.

That left Tyrone 1-9 to 1-2 approaching the end of the first half. Conor McCarthy and Jack McCarron responded for Monaghan, but Tyrone maintained their momentum. Darragh Canavan and Darren McCurry completed their 1-11 first half total and they led by five at the interval.

More of the same would do nicely indeed on the resumption.

Now playing against the wind, the pressure was on the Red Hands to consolidate their healthy half-time lead and press ahead to take the points in that second half.

There was little let-up in the tempo of proceedings as that second half gathered pace with Tyrone once again in the ascendency. They wasted no time in establishing their intent on the restart. Kieran McGeary raced through to fist over, before Ciaran Daly took a pass from Cathal McShane to score.

He soon made it a double-scores lead for Tyrone as they looked set to press further ahead. But it was Monaghan who found a new lease of life. Jack McCarron and a brace of scores from Conor McManus brought the visitors right back into contention. The stage was set fair for a grandstand finish entering the final quarter. There were black cards to Ryan O’Toole for Monaghan and Brian Kennedy for Tyrone moments later. Swapped points between Jack McCarron and Darren McCurry kept the issue balanced, but then there was a sudden and dramatic swing.

Monaghan’s dominance was finally rewarded with their second goal. A great run from Andrew Woods saw him place Killian Lavelle. He palmed to the net to reduce the deficit to just two points, 1-16 to 2-11.

Darragh Canavan settled Tyrone, but as the rain came down it was clear that the outcome of this tie would only be decided in the final seconds. Conor McManus left the minimum between the teams to set up as dramatic and tension-filled finale which could have been anticipated.

Monaghan pressed really hard for the equaliser that they sought. On a number of occasions, crucial interceptions from Niall Morgan, Ben Cullen and Darragh Canavan prevented them at the important moment. It remained a desperate stalemate until seven minutes of added time heightened the tension even further. Ultimately, though, it was Tyrone who prevailed. Late points from Darren McCurry and Joe Oguz sealed an important victory, and the contrasting emotions were clear as Tyrone’s celebrations mingled with Monaghan’s bitter disappointment.