Tyrone Minor Ladies show mettle against Monaghan

Tyrone 3-9
Monaghan 3-7

A SECOND half performance of real grit underscored with two goals in a minute from Mya Williamson helped Tyrone to secure back to back wins in the Ulster Minor Championship at Newtownstewart on Saturday.

Led by Emma Conroy, Tyrone upped the tempo after trailing by six points at the break. Aine Strain and Emer McCanny carried the ball well while Williamson and Clodagh Munroe carved out chances and the defence stepped up with Beth Jones, Kaitlin Gallagher and Catherine McCaughey hard to break down.

Inspired by first half goals from Eabha Sherry, Aine McQuaid and Sarah Tierney, Monaghan bossed the game playing against the breeze with just brief glimpses of quality from the hosts who found themselves 2-3 to 0-2 down by the first water break.

McQuaid and Olivia Mc Guinness exchanged early points. Tierney beat Amelia Coyle from close range, McQuaid pointed with Sherry on hand to score a second goal. Shellshocked Tyrone, now minus the injured McGuinness, tagged on a pointed free from Williamson on ten minutes. Coyle then produced a fine save with Sherry edging her side further ahead on the water halt.

Conroy pointed with Leah Martin’s bustling run rewarded when Williamson slotted home her first goal. Monaghan finished the half on top though as McQuaid palmed in a Sherry pass with the Monaghan forward and Aine Grimes then exchanging points. The woodwork was tested by McQuaid too.

A rallying call from Tyrone manager Jonny Garrity was translated onto the park after the break as Williamson and Claire Pinkerton pointed.

Emer McCanny and Aine Strain began carrying the game to Monaghan with the defence struggling. The Farney did have chances but the Red Hands rear guard forced speculative shots from distance.

Three points separated the sides at the second water break with Holly McQuaid’s score cancelling a brace from Cloadgh Munroe and the impressive Conroy, but there was more in the Tyrone tank.

Despite going four behind Williamson was on hand to drill home a 21st-minute penalty penalty and then collected the ball from Orna Kelly’s kick out with the Trillick player slotting in her third goal.

Tyrone, now two-up, were dominant in the final minutes and, despite Sherry closing the gap to the minimum, Munroe’s point eased the nerves as the Red Hand county ran out winners on the back of a comprehensive performance.

Teams & Scorers

Tyrone

Ameilia Coyle, Aine Quinn, Olivia McGuinness (0-1), Catherine McCaughey, Beth Jones Aoibhinn Daly Kaitlin Gallagher, Clodagh McNamee, Emma Conroy (0-2), Aine Grimes (0-1), Clodagh Munroe (0-2), Leah Martin, Shauna McGurren, Mya Williamson (3-2), Aine Heagney. Subs: Clare Pinkerton (0-1) for McGuinness, Emer McCanny for McGurren, Aine Strain for Heagney, Lucy Conroy for McNamee.

Monaghan

Orna Kelly, Roisin Lennon, Tara Renaghan, Tara McArdle, Hannah Haughey, Abi Carolan, Kerrieanne Walsh, Leah Connolly, Laura Grimes, Holly McQuaid (0-1), Sarah Tierney (1-0), Shannon Murphy, Aine McQuaid (1-2), Eabha Sherry (1-4), Niamh Flanagan . Subs: Bronagh Mc Phillips For Flanagan.

Referee: Shaun McLaughlin.