Double bonus as hurlers make home advantage count

Tyrone 1-29  Wicklow 2-17

AN outstanding display of determined hurling throughout this key clash on Sunday at Dungannon has earned Tyrone hurlers promotion for the 2025 season, and a shot at silverware as they prepare for a semi-final clash to come.

It was a day of drama for the Red Hand hurlers as favourable results elsewhere saw them win a place in the newly restructured Division Two for next year. A first ever clash against former Liam McCarthy Cup side, Kerry, is now one of the fixtures awaiting them.

Aidan Kelly’s accuracy proved to be the key against Wicklow. He hit 0-18 from 19 shots from frees and play. But this was a team effort and there was no doubting Tyrone’s delight as they celebrated a hard-earned win.

Wind advantage during the first half provided the perfect platform for the Red Hands. They entered this tie hoping to secure their place in the division for the coming year, and there was no doubting their determination also as they reflected on the disappointment of defeat to London a week previously.

But the early stages were far from straightforward for the Red Hands. It was Wicklow who started best. Points from Luke Evans and Gary Hughes edged them 0-2 to 0-1 ahead, with Tiarnan Morgan replying for the Red Hands.

Tyrone needed to up the tempo. Good defending from Oran McKee and Dean Rafferty saw them curb the threat posed by the Leinster side. Ben Gormley and James McCann competed well at midfield, as they severely restricted the space available to their opponents.

The teams were level on four occasions in the opening quarter. Aidan Kelly, Ben Gormley and Joe McToal were all on target as the two teams worked hard to try and grab the initiative. Tyrone, though, were beginning to take control, and the middle period of the half saw them really forge ahead in brilliant fashion.

Ben Gormley brought the teams level at 0-4 ahead after only 12 minutes. From then until the 25th minute the Red Hands controlled matters. Importantly, they made that control count on the scoreboard with a series of great points.

There was skill, discipline and tenacity in their performance at this stage. An Aidan Kelly free got them going. Then, Joe McToal showed skill and determination when he bustled his way through for one point, and then snapped possession and added a second.

Now Tyrone were really finding their form. Fionn Devlin added another to leave them 0-9 to 0-4 ahead and, with Tiarnan Morgan and Cormac Munroe working hard, they maintained their momentum. A brace of Aidan Kelly frees increased their total and he added two more to leave them eight ahead, 0-13 to 0-5, approaching the interval break.

Wicklow, though, always posed a threat. Luke Evans was their main marksman, and Ronan McMahon came close to grabbing a goal only to be denied by a fine Ciaran McElhatton save. Corner back, Seamus Sweeney, fired over as Tyrone consolidated their advantage on a 0-15 to 0-5 interval scoreline.

The prospect of facing into the breeze on the resumption meant that there was definitely no room for complacency. They needed to get a good start, and the initial exchanges at the start of the second provided grounds for optimism.

Early points on the restart courtesy of Ben Gormley and Aidan Kelly helped to extend the Tyrone advantage. However, this second half was always going to be a key and uncompromising battle, and so it proved as the minutes ebbed away.

Everything initially looked to be going for the Red Hands. They maintained the momentum of the first half, and made light of the strong wind that they were now facing. Sean og Grogan came close to grabbing a goal when he was put through by a long ball in from Ruairi Devlin.

Minutes later the long-awaited goal did arrive. Ben Gormley’s great run forward created space and he offloaded perfectly to Lorcan Devlin who made no mistake with a low hard shot to the net. That left Tyrone 1-19 to 0-11 ahead and it looked like they were on course for the desired victory.

Instead, Wicklow dominated to cut the deficit. As Tyrone’s challenge faltered, the visitors dramatically cut the deficit. Seanie Germaine got them going, before Cian Lohan fired to the net. Then, points from Luke Evans reduced the Tyrone lead to just five points, 1-19 to 1-14.

A second goal minutes later really looked set to ensure a dramatic finale. Seanie Germaine was on target on this occasion when he burst through to score and leave only four between the teams entering the final stages.

Now was the time for Tyrone to respond. Good tackling and defensive work stemmed the tide. Ruairi Devlin, Oran McKee, and Dean Rafferty all made their mark. Joe McToal, Turlough Mullin and Aidan Kelly got vital scores as they weathered that Wicklow storm.

Tyrone led by 1-27 to 2-16 at the end of normal time and were effectively on course for victory. Late points from Aidan Kelly and Seamus Sweeney sealed the deal as they emphatically progressed to the semi-final.