Tyrone Ladies involved in thrilling draw with Kildare

Tyrone 3-5  Kildare 2-8

TYRONE Ladies  unbeaten streak in the league campaign continued with a thrilling draw against Kildare in a highly anticipated clash at St Mary’s Park, Beragh on Sunday.

The game, serving as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming league final, was a showcase of championship-level intensity and skill.

Kildare started strongly, with Lara Curran and Ellen Dowling finding the target early on to give their side an early advantage. However, Tyrone refused to be daunted by the early setback, rallying their forces and launching a determined comeback.

Emma Conroy had the best chance for the hosts but steered her effort wide.

The young Moy player did open the Tyrone account with a point, Campbell went close on goal but two points from Curran and Dowling opened the gap to three before a first Tyrone penalty.

Horisk went down in a challenge getting on the end of a McHugh long ball. After consulting with his umpires, Gavin Finnegan awarded the spot kick, but Maria Canavan’s shot was well saved by Niamh Barnes.

Horisk was on hand two minutes later though to crack home a goal.

However, the sides were level for just two minutes, with Curran teeing up Dowling for the easiest of goals.

Canavan and Dowling then exchanged late first half points to leave the visitors ahead by three.

The second half saw Kildare come out with renewed vigor, determined to assert their dominance and regain control of the game.

Dowling and Aoife Rattigan’s fine long ranger nudged the visitors five ahead through the opening ten minutes of the second half.

Tyrone chances wre limited as Mia Doherty and Fiona Troute put the press on the home attack.

The hosts best chance came from Meabh Mallon whenshe closed in on goal on 12 minutes, but her effort was collected well by Barnes.

Canavan got Tyrone’s first score of the second half on 18 minutes through a free and after Sasha Byrne closed in on goal only to be denied, the Errigal attacker landed a great score from play to leave it a three point game.

The final ten minutes was full of drama.

Sarah Munelly scuffed a goal chance against Donnelly before a superb move from centerfield produced a Red Hand goal to level things.

McHugh dropped a great ball through to Byrne who teed up Loughran to roll in the goal with Doherty on her heels.

Canavan’s well-executed point from distance put Tyrone ahead with five minutes left.

But they don’t make things easy, and a misplaced pass was punished with a well taken Ellie O’Toole goal

Aoife Kilkenny’s angled point in the closing minutes looked to be enough to carry on a remarkable winning run of 20 games before late drama at the other end.

Another long probing ball found Loughran, who then went down under Doherty and goalkeeper Barnes.

Another penalty but this timeCanavan sent the ball into the net for a deserving draw.

In the end, both teams could take pride in their performances, having battled valiantly from start to finish and provided spectators with a thrilling display of top-quality football.