Big win against Mayo is now a must to survive

THE scenario is a simple one for Tyrone Ladies tomorrow as they face Mayo in Carrick-on Shannon.

 

Unlikely as it may seem, a thirteen point win for Gerry Moane’s side will afford them a chance of qualification from the group, but anything less will end their 2020 campaign.

 

The Red Hands therefore have a chance-albeit a slim one- heading west to Leitrim.

 

On a positive note Mayo come into the game cold, with no competitive football since March.

 

They will have watched Tyrone suffer a 6-16 to 3-13 loss last Friday night against Armagh and will be well aware that Tyrone have now conceded some seventeen goals in their last three Championship games. 

 

That sobering fact is not lost on Tyrone coach Barry Grimes, who was again frustrated to lose yet again to the Orchard side last weekend.

 

“It was very disappointing,” explained the Beragh man. “We had highlighted a number of issues from the first game and worked hard at putting them right.

 

“The game started well for us and for much of the first half I would say we had been the better team but Armagh finished the half very strongly scoring 2-4 and taking a seven point lead into half time which changed the entire complexion of the game.” 

 

Armagh were on the backfoot early on after a blistering opening from a sharp looking Red Hand attack. Niamh O’Neill, Chloe McCaffrey and Grainne Rafferty were among the early scorers but conceding 2-4 late in the first half swung the game away from Tyrone. 

 

Aimee Mackin racked up 1-6 while Aoife McCoy netted a hat trick of goals.

Grimes admitted that from a promising opening Tyrone then found themselves chasing the game.

 

“From being one point up, we found ourselves seven points down and this allowed Armagh to dictate the second half as we had to chase the game. 

 

“Armagh to their credit managed the half very well and made it very difficult for us to get back at them. If we had got in at half time either leading or level, it would have made for a very different game.”