Red Hands find the going tough in Exiles defeat

Tyrone 2-12  London 2-23

TYRONE hurlers hopes of a winning start to their Christy Ring Cup campaign were thwarted in emphatic fashion as their best efforts weren’t enough to stop London from claiming victory in this first round clash at Dungannon on Sunday.

The Red Hands were playing catch-up throughout this tie. Goals from Sean Duffin and Aidan Kelly in the second half gave them hope, but that mini-rally was too little and too late to stem the largely one-way tide here.

Next up for the Red Hands is a third away clash of the season against Derry next weekend. They will hope for better fortunes in that one, and the fact that they’ll enter it as underdogs will prove a big motivation.

It was tough for Tyrone in this clash right from the start as they sought to make their mark despite playing against the strong wind. They lost to London in the National League just a few weeks ago, and the Exiles emerged for this tie with high levels of determination.

The Red Hands had to be up to the pace of the tie immediately. Ciaran McElhatton made a great save from Jack Goulding in the first minute, and there were numerous early attacks for Ruairi Devlin, Dean Rafferty and Cormac Munroe to deal with.

London, though, grabbed the initiative. Points courtesy of Jack Goulding, Sean Glynn and Owen Shiels served notice of their intentions. Niall Geoghegan, Cathal O’Carroll and Sean Glynn used possession well, as Tyrone’s James McCann, Mark McClean and Cormac Munroe battled well in the defence and at midfield.

Four points separated the teams when Aidan Kelly tried for goal from a close-in free. He missed, before opening the account for the Red Hands minutes later. Ben Gormley added a second soon after as the home side hoped to come more into the tie.

However, a goal approaching the end of that first quarter proved to be a setback. Ronan Crowley pulled to the net after good work from Owen Shiel. That left Tyrone trailing by 1-5 to 0-2, with Jack Goulding and Sean Glynn adding to the London account.

Tyrone’s only response was an Aidan Kelly pointed free. But they were battling for every ball, with Cormac Munroe, Ben Gormley and James McCann particularly prominent alongside Aidan Kelly. Too often, though, they were struggling to win the second phase possession which has prove so crucial to their efforts throughout this season so far.

Sean Duffin tried for a goal from close-in, but missed. Aidan Kelly added a point and they finished the half in something of a flourish as Aidan Kelly fired over a well-taken point, before Ben Gormley completed their half-time account with a great long range point.

But the task facing them was abundantly clear as they trailed by 1-10 to 0-6 at half-time. Nothing less than a dramatic turnaround would be suffice on the resumption as they sought to find a way back to secure a crucial win.

Two points courtesy of Aidan Kelly at the start of the second half boosted the Tyrone total. But the goal that they so badly needed instead went to London. Their dominance was further consolidated when Owen Shiel got through on goal and batted the ball to the net.

Moments later James McCann raced through on goal. However, his shot lacked the power to really challenge and the opportunity passed. Nevertheless, it did give the Red Hands hope of reducing the now double scores deficit.

There were times entering the final quarter when London looked capable of really pressing home their advantage. Scores courtesy of Jack Goulding and Sean Glynn emphasised their controlled hurling. Only the commitment of the Tyrone defence and especially Cormac Munroe, Dean Rafferty and Ruairi Devlin stemmed the tide.

At the other end, James McCann, Bryan McGurk and Lorcan Devlin maintained their workrate. Chances were created, but the London defence proved resolute, with Niall Geogheghan proving particularly effective.

It was entering the final 10 minutes that Tyrone finally began to display the form which has proven to be so effective so far in 2024. A great goal from Sean Duffin when he pulled to the net from close range gave them hope. A second goal minutes later courtesy of Aidan Kelly reduced the deficit still further and left them knowing that there was still just about time to stage a dramatic late revival.

Minutes later, Sean Duffin came close to grabbing a third goal for the team when he tried for goal from a close-in free. However, the London defence proved equal to the task, and cleared their lines before launching what was to be a winning rally.

As so often happened in this tie, it was London who showed the greater resolve once again. On three separate occasions, the Tyrone defence had to be on its toes to deny the visitors a third goal. First Ciaran McElhatton saved, then Conall McKee stopped the ball on the line as London piled on the pressure.

Aidan Kelly did respond with a point for Tyrone, but London had the final say as Jack Goulding and Sean Glynn got the points late on to secure an emphatic and deserved victory for them and disappointment for the Red Hands.