Tyrone hurlers survive late Sligo surge

Sligo 2-14  Tyrone 2-17

TWO first half goals provided Tyrone with the perfect platform in this Christy Ring clash at Markievicz Park on Saturday, but only after a last gasp revival made the final stages of this enthralling clash very nervewrecking for the Red Hands.

Sean Og Grogan hit the net twice in the opening 35 minutes and the visitors enjoyed a comprehensive lead entering the final quarter. Then the dismissal of goalkeeper, Conor McElhatton and Ruairi Devlin, left them reduced to 13 as Sligo staged a dramatic comeback.

The Red Hands, though, held out for what is a very important win. It was a closely fought contest in the opening stages. Swapped points between Mickey Little and Gerard O’Kelly Lynch kept the issue in the balance, before the Red Hands soon began to make their mark.

Dean Rafferty and Bryan McGurk combined well in the defence, while Sean Duffin and James McCann gained the upper hand at midfield. As a result, that dominance soon saw Tyrone yield an impressive early dividend.

Points courtesy of Aidan Kelly and Sean Duffin paved the way for the opening goal. A long ball into the danger area from Cormac Munroe found Sean Og Grogan, who marked his return with a fine batted shot to the net from close range.

Moments later Sean Duffin added a point to leave Tyrone enjoying a 1-4 to 0-1 lead, despite playing against a blustery wind.

Rory McHugh and Gerard O’Kelly Lynch pressed for the home team. However, Tyrone’s strength, passing and tackling were evident, as the efforts of Bryan McGurk, James McCann and Sean Duffin kept them in control.

Further scores courtesy of Aidan Kelly and Ben Gormley increased that advantage and paved the way for goal number two in added time in that first half. With Tyrone now leading by 1-8 to 0-6, good work from James McCann set-up Sean Og Grogan. He made no mistake with a great shot to the net to leave Tyrone 2-8 to 0-6 ahead.

It was Sligo who emerged the more determined on the resumption. Points from Joe McHugh and Gerard O’Kelly Lynch saw them reduce the deficit to six points, and they looked determined to cut that lead even more.

However, Tyrone rallied subsequently. With Cormac Munroe spearheading their defensive efforts and Dean Rafferty and Fionn Devlin also doing well at the back, the determined efforts of Sean Duffin and James McCann at midfield and the work of Bryan McGurk gave them an edge.

Aidan Kelly’s accuracy from frees was also proving crucial. He registered four in total during that third quarter as James McCann and Sean Duffin also fired over. As a result, Tyrone enjoyed a 2-15 to 1-11 lead and were definitely capable of closing out the contest.

There was no indication of what was to follow. However, the chaotic nature of proceedings in the final minutes also saw Tyrone completely relinquish what had been a fairly commanding advantage.

Just ten minutes remained when Aidan Kelly and James McCann made it 2-17 to 1-13. However, Sligo then threw caution to the wind and yielded a rich dividend as they put huge pressure on the Tyrone defence.

A long ball into the square saw Gerard O’Kelly Lynch being fouled. Goalkeeper, Ciaran McElhatton was black-carded and Dean Rafferty went into goals for the subsequent penalty. Tyrone were reprieved when Rory McHugh fired over the bar to leave six points between the teams.

But matters became more serious minutes later when another high ball into the danger area led to a second penalty. On this occasion, Rory McHugh made no mistake and hit the net to make the score 2-17 to 2-14.

Added time brought more pressure, as the dismissal of Ruairi Devlin for a second yellow card reduced Tyrone to 13. Sligo continued to press, Joe McHugh hit the side netting and they were still attacking in the closing moments until Fionn Devlin won possession on the final whistle to seal the win.

The Scorers

Tyrone

Aidan Kelly 0-9 (f), Sean Og Grogan 2-0, James McCann 0-3, Sean Duffin 0-2, Tiernan Morgan 0-1, Ben Gormley 0-1, Mickey Little 0-1.

Sligo

Gerard O’Kelly Lynch 0-8 (4f), Rory McHugh 2-2 (1-1 pen), Tomas Cawley 0-2, Conor Hannify 0-2.>sidebarbody<

The Teams

Tyrone

Ciaran McElhatton, Dean Rafferty, Fionn Devlin, Anthony Crossan, Ben Gormley, Cormac Munroe, Bryan McGurk, James McCann, Sean Duffin, Lorcan Devlin, Aidan Kelly, Tiernan Morgan, Joe McToal, Sean Og Grogan, Michael Little. Subs – Ruairi Devlin for A Crossan (49), Rory Weir for J McToal (57), Conall Molloy for T Morgan (64), Mark McClean for Sean Og Grogan (74).

Sligo

Declan Reidy,Darragh Cawley, Gavin Connolly, Kevin O’Kennedy, Fionn Connolly, Rory McHugh, Niall Kilcullen, Donall Hanley, Joe McHugh, Tony O’Kelly Lynch, Eoighan Rua, Michael Munnelly, Tomas Cawley, Conor Griffin, Gerard O’Kelly Lynch. Subs – Conor Hannify for M Munnelly (47), Darragh Flynn for N Kilcullen (65), Oisin Hennessey for D Cawley (68).

Referee:  James Judge, Mayo.