Tipp Ladies head to Healy Pk for double header

TYRONE Ladies welcome a much fancied Tipperary side to O’Neills Healy Park in the league on Sunday as part of a double header with the men’s clash with Roscommon.

The Red Hands were good value for their five point win against Westmeath last Sunday at Naomh Eoghan, Sean O’Kane effectively utilising a mixture of youth and experience as he works to get the right combination. The Tyrone boss was naturally delighted with the win in a game played in horrendous conditions.

“We played well against the breeze on Sunday in the first half although we did lose our way in the second. The conditions didn’t suit some of the younger girls and it was extra difficult for some of them but we got key scores at the right time.”

Two of those scores were well worked goals, as Emma Conroy and Maria Canavan bagged 2-6 between them. There was also some fine performances from skipper Aoibhinn McHugh and Caitlin Campbell in the middle of the park, while Joanne Barrett was a key influence at the back and the debutants all produced a solid job.

O’Kane knows though that there’s a tougher outing expected this weekend.

“Of course it will be difficult, Tipperary are a step up for sure. They and Kildare are two teams that everyone is talking about in Division Two as favorites for promotion. No-one gives us a chance against them on Sunday but we will prepare well and carry confidence into the game.”

Last week’s player of the match was Tyrone captain Aoibhinn McHugh who has developed into a real leader and her contribution last week was key. Her movement, tracking up and down the park, link play as well as scoring were important.

While playing down her own contribition she was delighted with the win over Westmeath.

“It was great to get the win especially in those conditions. It was a big test for us and the yellow card also made things harder.

“We had a lead by the break and that was important but we are delighted with the result.”

Tyrone have no major injury worries. Chloe McCaffrey, Meabh Mallon and Joanne Barrett came throuhg Sunday unscathed after a difficult 2023 and the manager will be boosted too by the endeavour shown by youngsters Emma Conroy, Aine Strain, Clara Daly, Emer McCanny, Cailin Mc Callion and Katie Rose Muldoon.

It gives the Tyrone manager plenty of positive options coming into the game this weekend Tipp arrive in Omagh on the back of a low scoring 1-4 to 0-2 win against Cavan in their opener, which was also played in awful conditions.

It was two points each at the break before Emma Morrissey fired in a goal for Tipp.

There’s a bit of history between the two sides too. The visitors saw off Tyrone with some ease in last year’s National League clash on what was a difficult 4G surface, while in 2017 they beat the Red Hands in the All Ireland Intermediate Final, and the bulk of that Tipp squad are still on call.

Throw in time on Sunday is 1.45pm and Tyrone ladies officials have appealed for home supporters to come along early and get behind the girls ahead of the Tyrone mens league encounter with Roscommon at 3.45pm.

Meanwhile Tyrone Ladies  have confirmed that principal sponsors Mc Aleer and Rushe have thrown their weight behind the ladies game in the County once again. Their sponsorship was officially ratified last week ahead of Tyrone’s opening encounter against Westmeath as they also unveiled a new design shirt supplied once again by O’Neills sportswear.

The shirt is made from specialist material incorporating the latest technology with O’Neill’s pulling out all the stops again to have it supplied in time for the new campaign.

County Chairperson Grainne Donnelly also confirmed that Lagan Energy Engineering have been announced as associate team sponsors for the year with the company logo now emblazoned on the playing shirts.

Speaking at the launch of this exciting partnership Project Manager of the company Declan Campbell said: “Sport is a huge part of our community and we are proud to announce our most recent sponsorship with Tyrone Senior Ladies ahead of their 2024 season, we wish them well through the season.”

The support has been welcomed by Mrs Donnelly: “We are delighted to welcome Lagan Energy Engineering as sponsors of the senior ladies.

“They are world leaders in their field and it’s a massive boost to us as they join our old friends Mc Aleer and Rushe and O’Neill’s, we thank them all.”