Tyrone Minor Camogs clinch All-Ireland crown

TYRONE 3-13  MAYO 1-11

TYRONE Camogs secured the All-Ireland C Championship title after recording an excellent victory over Mayo at Drumlane in County Cavan on Saturday.

The first half was fairly cagey, with little to seperate two evenly matched and talented sides.

The elements favoured the Connacht girls in the first half but despite dominating much of the possession stakes they struggled to break down a resilient and well-organised Tyrone defensive unit.

Pivotal figues in the Red Hand back unit were Una Mc Crory, Clara Doherty and Aodh Bennett who limited their opponents scoring opportunites, while behind them keeper Sienna Gildernew was in inspired form between the posts.

Mention must also go to half-backs Orlaith McElduff, Kate Daly and Grainne Cassidy who produced stout-hearted efforts, while in midfield  Niamh McElduff grew in stature and composure as the contest unfolded.

In the half-forward unit Kieva Daly, Catherine Muldoon and Gemma Daly hooked, harried and hassled their opponents all afternoon bringing an admirable intensity to the exchanges, and further up the pitch Eva Cullen, Rhianne McLaughlin and Claire McAleer punctured holes in the opposition with their fine finishing prowess and willing ball carrying skills.

The teams were level on four occasions in the first half with Tyrone having to work hard for scores playing into the strong breeze.

Mayo looked as if they had stretched away but a brace of points from Emer Cunningham reeled them back in at 0-7 to 0-6 in Mayo’s narrow favour at the turnaround.

Tyrone opened up after the interval. Points from Moohan, Orlaith Mc Elduff, Cunningham and a goal from Rhianne Mc Laughlin had them seemingly in the box seat. Their confidence was fuelled still further after Mc Laughlin and Gemma Daly also knocked in goals.

A battling Mayo threw everything at Tyrone in the closing stages looking to rescue the contest but the Tyrone keeper and defence were more than up to the task of seeing this one out. Laura Flanagan did find the net late in injury time but victory belonged to the jubilant young Red Hand camogs.