Tyrone Girls eye ‘Gold’-en double

IT IS set to be a hectic weekend for the Tyrone Minors and Under-16s as they set out to claim a ‘golden’ double of provincial titles.

The Minors head to Silverbridge on Saturday to face Monaghan in the Ulster Gold Final and then the Under-16s go head to head with Armagh the following day at O’Neill’s Healy Park.

Losses in their last two tier one games ended hopes of back to back Ulster Platinum Finals for the Minors but manager Darren McCann has still brought the new look Red Hands to a ‘Gold’ outing against Monaghan.

Tyrone accounted for Antrim, Armagh and Monaghan in the group stages but as the competition has worn on injuries have again hampered their progress.

Catherine Moohan with 2-14 is the team’s top scorer, while Nicole Donaghy, Emma Murphy and Sorcha Gormley have also spearheaded the Tyrone scoring threat. Tori McMullan and Aoife Marlow have been steady at the back with the midfield combination of Aoife Quinn and Meadhbh Campbell also establishing themselves.

There was a degree of disappointment for McCann that the team missed out on the Platinum decider although that was soon put aside and the focus is very much on Saturday’s final and claiming the title remains the driving incentive. Throw-in at Silverbridge is 1pm

Meanwhile the Tyrone Under-16s, under the joint stewardship of Martin Conway and Desi Friel, previously lost to Armagh in the Tier One series. On that occasion it was a close run thing. Conway, feels his team has improved as the Ulster campaign has progressed.

“ We are happy with the way the team has progressed during the season. The performances have improved game on game and the girls are a threat to any team when we play to our potential.”

Excellent wins over Monaghan, Derry and a hotly tipped Down underline that viewpoint. Keeva Owens, Therese Loughran, Caoimhe McMoran and Lucy McCullagh have been key players in this campaign, and all have final experience too.

There are a couple of players who won’t be available on Sunday due to long term injuries while the fitness of others will be accessed in advance. Conway hoping for a big partisan support in Omagh.

“ We’re delighted that the game is in Healy Park. Hopefully the girls will get a big support and it should a competitive game against a strong Armagh team.”

Conway is joined on the sideline by his close confidant Friel, while Kevin Bogle, Leona Gallagher and Brian Mc Ginn are also among an experienced backroom team. Throw in time on Sunday is 1pm.

LADIES ALL-COUNTY LEAGUE WEEK ONE

THE big winners in the opening round of the Tyrone Ladies All-County League at the weekend were Moortown as they brushed aside Aodh Ruadh scoring an impressive seven goals in the process.

Conditions were ideal as the new adult season threw in and St Malachy’s certainly signalled their intentions against a youthful Dungannon, Donica Ryan helping herself to a hat-trick of goals. Moortown led 1-7 to 0-2 at the break and as the game wore on through the second half they kept the pressure on Dungannon, any opportunities dealt with by a fit again Sinead McVey.

Sarah Devlin landed several points with Caoimhe Mc Nally, Rachel Tallon and Nicole Conway added goals.

Fintona claimed the derby bragging rights when they edged to a two point win over Dromore at Gardrum Park as it finished 2-9 to 1-10. The Pearses led by a point at the break but second half goals from Nichola Hackett and a scrambled effort that eventually found the net from Aishlinn Connelly changed the complexion of the game. Hackett finished with 1-5, and Nicole Sweeney with three points.

Shauna Teague tagged on a Dromore penalty goals while Eve Teague and Niamh McGovern at midfield impressed for the hosts.

Senior league champions, St Macartan’s flew out of the blocks at Ballinamullan as they eased to a big win over Cappagh. An early goal from the experienced Joline Donaghy along with points from Niamh Quinlivan, Donaghy and Sláine McCarroll set them on course.

Just when Cappagh started to settle Aine Arkinson lashed in a second goal as they led by thirteen points by the break. Terri McCusker and Laura Corcoran worked hard to get something for the hosts but a further flurry of second half points saw the visitors ease to a fine win with nine different scorers on the night for them.

County champions Errigal Ciaran got off the mark with a solid performance against Carrickmore who had Alanagh Trainor in goals to thank for keeping the scoring tally down. Maria Canavan was a bundle of energy tagging on an impressive six points with Shannon Cunningham on target with five. Ellie Mc Namee and Kelly McCaffrey steered in the goals as Errigal won out 2-15 to 0-7 at Pairc Colmcille.

The Omagh vs Trillick game was postponed.

In Division Two Badoney won the big local derby in Gortin against an understrength Sperrin Og in an entertaining and hard fought encounter. Two points separated the sides at the finish up

A goal in the first minute of her senior debut by Therese Quinn helped secure a three point win for Ardboe at Moy in a hard fought tie. The goal had given the visitors a 1-6 to 0-3 half time lead but an improved Moy, spearheaded by Emma Conroy and Emer Curri,e hauled themselves back. In the end Ardboe held on for the victory.

There was an opening win for Clonoe in the Intermediate League. They led from the start against Aghyaran and secured a 5-17 to 1-12 win in the end. Meabh O’Neill impressive runs through the visitors rearguard was a key to the win. Orlagh Gavin top scored with 1-9, with Orlaith O’Hagan adding a brace of three pointers. Alicia Devlin, Meabh O’Hagan and Aimee Hughes were also among the scores on a good night for the Rahilly’s.

Cookstown were also big winners on Sunday as they eclipsed Donaghmore, bagging five goals in the process with Aoibhinn Devlin getting a hat-trick. The Fr Rocks led 4-4 to 0-5 by the break. Danielle McNamee, Aimee McGlone, Aoibhinn Devlin, Lana and Amy Sheehy impressed throughout. Amy Sheehy scored 1-5, with the other goal from Niamh Daly.