Tyrone 1-15 Mayo 1-11
A TOTALLY transformed Tyrone produced a second half performance of sheer brilliance to confidently clinch the points in this crucial National League clash on Saturday evening at O’Neills Healy Park.
Darren McCurry and Darragh Canavan spearheaded the devastating turnaround. The Red Hands were in blistering form as they outscored Mayo by 1-10 to 0-7.
It puts them on four points in the Division One table, and provides the perfect boost as they prepare for the trip to last year’s defeated All-Ireland finalists, Kerry, next week.
Victory was an essential for Tyrone entering this clash. Defeats against both Derry and Galway meant that there was a lot riding on this one, and the history of Mayo coming to Omagh to claim victory wasn’t exactly favouring the home team.
Many of the initial exchanges, though, were positive for the home team. While both counties laboured to make an impact in the opening minutes, the attacking sharpness of Darragh Canavan seemed to have the potential to really sparkle. He made space for himself by shaking off two defenders to put Tyrone ahead.
More importantly was the directness of the Tyrone approach during those opening stages. Padraig Hampsey, Michael McKernan and Conn Kilpatrick got forward to good effect. Unfortunately those opportunities weren’t translated into scores.
Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor equalised, and breathed life into their challenge. Although Tyrone massed the defence and displayed patience in cutting the space available to the visitors, it was the Connacht side who still grabbed the initiative approaching the end of the first quarter.
Stephen Coen found himself in space to score, and then a point from a Cillian O’Connor free put them 0-3 to 0-1 in front. But there was still no need for Tyrone to worry and two quick pointed frees from Peter Harte – one after a foul on Darragh Canavan – ensured that everything was still in the balance.
But then came the decisive moment of that first half. With Tyrone chasing, Mayo forged forward. A foul on Enda Hession outside the square by Cormac Quinn was deemed by the referee to have been a goalscoring chance. Quinn was black carded, the free was upgraded to a penalty and Cillian O’Connor rifled the ball to the net.
Suddenly, Mayo were leading 1-3 to 0-3 and looked capable of consolidating that advantage. Conor McStay raced through to leave them four in front, and the onus was on Tyrone to respond and soon.
However, they struggled to find their rhythm. Good moves forward were thwarted when they were frustratingly caught in possession entering the scoring zone. Ciaran Daly, Joe Oguz and Seanie O’Donnell worked hard to get into space, but the approach was more often than not thwarted as Stephen Coen, Enda Hession and Jack Carney broke free.
Still, Tyrone settled matters. While the attacking story was proving troublesome, they held firm in the defence, and Brian Kennedy and Conn Kilpatrick won their share of midfield possession.
As a result, that first half finished on a slightly more positive note. Cormac Quinn’s return to the action and a pointed free from Darragh Canavan after Seanie O’Donnell had come close to getting a goal suggested that Tyrone had weathered the Mayo storm.
There were many questions to be answered on the resumption. Tyrone showed intent when they returned to the field early and an quick point gave them hope and something to build upon. The introduction of Darren McCurry was aimed at adding attacking impetus, and worked a treat as the second half developed.
It was an amazing transformation for the Red Hands. Suddenly, they were displaying the type of attacking fluency and speed which so often proves effective. Darren McCurry’s impact was clear, but the running of Darragh Canavan, Brian Kennedy, Ciaran Daly and Peter Harte really enlivened the Red Hand challenge.
Three points in quick succession quickly brought them level. Just moments had elapsed when Darren McCurry converted a free. Then Darragh Canavan burst through showing real balance to leave the minimum between the teams and further boost the Tyrone confidence.
Now the Red Hands were really hitting the right notes. Darren McCurry brought them level at 0-8 to 1-5. It was a score which emphasised Tyrone’s marvellous revival and things were soon to get even better for them as well.
Darragh Canavan won possession and deftly darted past the Mayo defence. He kept his balance magnificent before firing the ball to the net. Suddenly Tyrone were 1-8 to 1-5 ahead, and a point moments later from Seanie O’Donnell extended the advantage.
Mayo were finding the going increasingly tough, and their defence struggled to cope with Tyrone’s speed, darting runs and teamwork. Passes worked perfectly for the Red Hands and the dividend was a far greater level of penetration in the attack.
Nobody exemplified that more than Darren McCurry and Darragh Canavan. A brace from McCurry including a brilliant long range effort and they led 1-11 to 1-5 entering the final quarter. Nothing was going to stop them now.
Ryan O’Donohue and Fergal Boland did reply for the visitors. But the Tyrone defence – in which Padraig Hampsey, Aidan Clarke and Cormac Quinn held firm especially – was in no mood to let things slip. The goal that Mayo needed to get back into the game never looked like coming.
Instead, the final stages of this clash confirmed Tyrone’s growing confidence, much to the delight of the home support. Darren McCurry added two more frees to confirm his massive impact, but the injury to Seanie O’Donnell put a dampener on the sense of satisfaction as the 1-15 to 1-11 final scoreline secured an important win.
The Scorers
Tyrone
Darren McCurry 0-6 (6f), Darragh Canavan 1-4 (1f), Peter Harte 0-2 (2f), Seanie O’Donnell 0-1.
Mayo
Cillian O’Connor 1-2 (1 pen, 2f), Fergal Boland 0-2, Ryan O’Donohue 0-2, Rob Hennelly 0-1 (1f), Stephen Coen 0-1, Bob Touhy 0-1.
The Teams
Tyrone
Niall Morgan, Conall Devlin, Padraig Hampsey, Aidan Clarke, Michael McKernan, Cormac Quinn, Niall Devlin, Brian Kennedy, Cormaic Donnelly, Ciaran Daly, Conn Kilpatrick, Peter Harte, Joe Oguz, Darragh Canavan, Seanie O’Donnell. Subs – Darren McCurry for C Donnelly (half-time), Ben Cullen for Michael McKernan (half-time), Kieran McGeary for S O’Donnell (67), Ruairi Canavan for D Canavan (76)
Mayo
Rob Henelly, Jack Coyne, Rory Brickenden, Sam Callinan, Michael Plunkett,Stephen Coen, Enda Hession, Diarmuid O’Connor, Matthew Ruane, Diarmuid Duffy, Fergal Boland, Jordan Flynn, Cillian O’Connor, Tommy Conroy, Conor McStay. Subs – Jack Carney for D O’Connor (5), Ryan O’Donohue for C McStay (48), Eoghan McLoughlin for M Plunkett (48), Bob Touhy for M Ruane (57), Darren McHale for D Duffy (62).
Referee – Brendan Cawley (Kildare).
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