Ladies tie with Laois ends in deadlock

Tyrone 2-8  Laois 2-8

TYRONE displayed a serious test of character by twice coming back from five points down against Laois to maintain their unbeaten league campaign at Aghaloo on Sunday.

The Red Hands served up a much-improved performance in the second half after putting just three points on the board in the first period.

Visiting Laois veteran, Mo Nerney hit four points and Emily Lacey was on hand to steer home a goal.

Tyrone, five down at the break fought back to level with a dominant third quarter yet found themselves chasing the game again when they conceded 1-2 in a frustrating five minute period..

The match kicked off with an early point from Mo Nerney, setting the tone for Laois’s attacking intent. However, Tyrone’s Caitlin Campbell soon unpicked the Laois defence, sliding a goal-bound effort wide.

Nerney added a second free before McCaffrey tagged on her first point of the day, with McHugh working the ball through to the ‘Macartans’ ace.

The Tyrone defence, anchored by players like Jayne Lyons and Meabh Corrigan, worked tirelessly to contain Laois’s attacking threats.

It seemed as if normal service was resumed for Tyrone when McHugh levelled and then Maria Canavan nudged the hosts ahead on 17 minutes, but that lead only lasted two minutes.

A Nerney free from the right wasn’t dealt with on the goal-line and Lacey ghosted in to steer home the goal.

Lois added a quick point from Susie Delaney when the Tyrone kickout failed to meet the target and a late brace of Nerney frees left the visitors five to the good by the break.

The third quarter saw a revitalised Tyrone dominate proceedings, with Laois struggling to contain their attacking momentum.

McCaffrey pointed a free, igniting Tyrone’s comeback, while a sweeping move led by skipper McHugh was finished by Aoibhinn Daly over the
bar.

As the clock ticked down, Tyrone’s determination to secure victory was palpable. McHugh teed up McCaffrey again, with Canavan dropping over a free to cut the gap to just one point.

The equaliser was a superb strike from McCaffrey, yet once again it was Tyrone pegged back.

Laois remained resolute, with Grainne Lawlor tagging on a crucial point to extend their lead. Despite Tyrone’s valiant efforts, Laois refused to buckle under pressure, with Roisin Allen calmly slotting the ball past the Tyrone goalkeeper. A point from the same player put five points between the sides once again.

Credit to the hosts, their response was swift, with substitutes like Emma Conroy injecting fresh energy into the game.

She put a tidy ball to McCaffrey who finished well from the left and the same duo were on hand to tee up McHugh to put Tyrone ahead with six minutes of normal time remaining.

However, Laois had other plans, as Lacey leveled the score for a third time with a close-range free. As the game swung toward full time, tension filled the air, with both teams vying for a decisive breakthrough.

In the dying moments, a late free from Tyrone drifted wide, leaving both teams to settle for a hard-earned draw.

Tyrone stay unbeaten and are still driving for promotion before a first away trip of the season to neighbours Donegal.

THE SCORERS