Hurlers difficult season continues in Meath

Meath 2-29 Tyrone 2-15

A DIFFICULT season for the Tyrone hurlers continued at Trim on Saturday when they suffered yet another defeat despite periods of the match when they threatened to really challenge Meath.

It means that results are absolutely vital for the Red Hands as they prepare to host both Donegal and Derry at home during the coming weeks in the Christy Ring Cup. Victories are essential in those games as they attempt to salvage their Christy Ring status.

The evidence presented here is that this young Tyrone team is gaining in experience. But on Saturday the strength and hurling skill of the Royals proved too much, even though there were times when the visitors did enjoy spells of control.

A series of points from the home team saw them grab the initiative early on with the aid of a strong enough wind. Mickey Cole, James Kelly and Daire Shine all pointed to leave them 0-7 to 0-1 ahead, Tyrone’s only response coming courtesy of Aidan Kelly.

Then, the Red Hands found their form suddenly and impressively. Aidan Kelly registered a second free, before a great ball in from Kiefer Morgan was capitalised upon by Rory Weir who made no mistake with a low and hard show to the net. That left Tyrone trailing by just two points and the hope was that they could consolidate things subsequently.

Ciaran Magill reduced the deficit to only two points, 0-7 to 1-2. With Dean Rafferty, Oran McKee, Cormac Munroe and Sean Duffin all doing well, they looked capable of containing the Meath threat, and perhaps come back on level terms with their opponents.

But things didn’t work out just as planned as Meath found a new spurt of energy and scoring prowess. Their 0-7 to 0-2 lead was quickly extended. Cian Rogers, Darragh Kelly, Jack Regan, Mickey Cole and Damien Healy all registered points to leave them 0-14 to 1-2 ahead. Ciaran Magill converted a relatively rare attacking opportunity.

That left them on 1-5, although the task was still a substantial one as they trailed by 1-17 to 1-5 at the interval break after Damien Healy goaled for Meath.

Wind advantage in the second half provided fresh optimism that Tyrone would be able to increase and sustain their challenge. While Meath extended their lead immediately on the restart, points courtesy of Rory Weir and James McCann made the score 1-20 to 1-7.

Tyrone, though, were not finished and were now enjoying their best spell of the match.

They were displaying real confidence and determination. Cormac Munroe, Tiernan Morgan and Seamus Sweeney worked hard, and this yielded more scores.

Four more points in quick succession brought the deficit down to what was, in effect, manageable proportions and with plenty of time still left in the game.

Lorcan Devlin, Aidan Kelly and two from Sean Duffin increased their total and brought the Meath lead down to 11 points. Sean Duffin scored again entering the final quarter and the way was clear for Tyrone to really concentrate on their revival.

But, as has been the case so often this season, their opponents pressed ahead during those closing stages.

Ciaran Magill scored, but it made little difference as Meath upped the tempo. Nicky Potterton, Mickey Burke, Jack Regan and Kris Gorman all scored points, as Darren O’Higgins got their second goal.

There were high points for Tyrone, too, during those closing stages. They continued to work hard, despite suffering the setback of the dismissal of Keifer Morgan for a second yellow card.

However, they created a good number of chances after that. The introduction of Mark McCann, Corey Bell and Turlough Mullin brought renewed energy. Mark McCann hit a point, Ciaran Magill continued to show class in the centre sections and added another point before Sean Duffin registered a 65.

The highpoint of that second half came when Turlough Mullin was fouled in the square resulting in a penalty for the visitors.

It was confidently converted by Sean Duffin to boost their total to 2-14. But that was as good as it got for them, as Meath strongly held out for their first victory of the campaign and left Tyrone to concentrate on their two home games to come in the next few weeks.

Scorers

Tyrone: Sean Duffin 1-4 1f, 1 ‘65, Ciaran Magill 0-4, Rory Weir 1-1, Aidan Kelly 0-3 2f, James McCann 0-1, Lorcan Devlin 0-1, Mark McCann 0-1.

Meath: Jack Regan 0-12 6f, James Kelly 0-4, Damien Healy 1-1, Darren O’Higgins 1-0, Mickey Cole 0-3 2f, Cian Rogers 0-2, Kris Gorman 0-2, Daire Shine 0-2, Darragh Kelly 0-1, Nicky Potterton 0-1, Mickey Burke 0-1.

Teams

Tyrone: Conall Molloy,Dean Rafferty, Fionn Devlin, Oran McKee, Lorcan Devlin, Cormac Munroe, Tiernan Morgan, Sean Duffin, Seamus Sweeney, Aidan Kelly, Ciaran Magill, Rory Weir, Aidan Woods, Kiefer Morgan, James McCann. Subs: Francie Hurson for R Weir 43, Conall McKee for T Morgan 54, Corey Bell for J McCann 54, Turlough Mullin for A Kelly 61, Mark McCann for C Magill 64.

Meath: Colm O’Riordan, Sean Coloe, Daire Shine, Kyle Donnelly, Darragh Kelly,James Toher, James Kelly, Sean Quigley, Mickey Burke, Cian Rogers, Mickey Cole, Joey Cole, Lorcan Byrne, Damien Healy, Jack Regan. Subs: Darren O’Higgins for M Cole half-time, Nicky Potterton for C Rogers half-time, Kris Gorman for S Quigley 45, David Murtagh for J Cole 50.

Referee:  Padraig Dunne, Laois.