Tyrone U20s power past Kerry into All-Ireland Final

Tyrone 2-14  Kerry 0-14

ONE more step remains to be taken by the Tyrone U-20s in their spirited quest for All-Ireland glory which saw them confidently dispose of Kerry thanks to a display laced with quality performances.

There was no doubting the Red Hand dominance throughout the field in this semi-final clash at Portlaoise on Sunday afternoon. Some brilliant attacking from players including Ben Hughes, Callum Daly and Joey Clarke was matched by the midfield prowess of Conan Devlin and Conor Quinn and an attacking tour-de force.

Goals from Eoin McElholm and Noah Grimes provided the platform for victory. Their first half strikes gave Tyrone control on the scoreboard which they never relinquished from then to the finish.

What a performance this was, then, from Tyrone as they played with a sense of adventure which really put their opponents under pressure. This was especially the case during the opening half when the Red Hands yielded a rich dividend from the ability to grab important scores.

Those goals from Eoin McElholm and Noah Grimes gave them the initiative by the interval break. But equally important was their ability to break at speed from the defence, and create the space needed for both the midfielders and attackers to capitalise.

A repeat of last year’s All-Ireland final clash between the same two counties, it was a cagey enough clash during the opening stages. Even then, though, the Ulster champions were showing signs of their true ability.

Just moments had elapsed when Eoin McElholm raced through only to see his shot saved on the line. Points from Ruairi McCullagh settled them, as Ben Hughes, Callum Daly and Joey Clarke all defended well.

Kerry’s fifth consecutive Munster success a few weeks ago raised high hopes for them. Daniel Kirby opened their account, and Ben Hughes had to be alert for Tyrone when he blocked an Evan Boyle shot.

It was this type of attacking play which really enlivened the tie, and Tyrone were benefitting. Conor O’Neill was winning good possession at midfield, setting up Eoin McElholm for a score, and then two points from McElholm and Ruairi McCullagh put the Red Hands 0-5 to 0-1 ahead.

Things were to get even better for them, too, as the first period gathered pace. The opening goal of the game proved that the Tyrone flair up front was poised to have a devastating impact. Good work from Liam Og Mossey saw him set up Eoin McElholm who made no mistake with a rasper of a shot to the top of the net.

Suddenly Tyrone were enjoying a 1-5 to 0-2 lead and looking both capable and confident of consolidating that advantage. However, they were to come under immense pressure as Kerry finally found their form.

Long balls into the full-forward Tomas Kennedy gave the Kingdom a valuable edge. Eddie Healy fired over for them, then Paddy Lane converted a brace of frees after Tomas Kennedy was fouled, before Killian Dennedy registered a long range point and Paddy Lane reduced the deficit down to just a point, 1-7 to 0-8 approaching the break.

>body2_text<Now was the time for some serious concentration from Tyrone and they responded brilliantly. The counter-attacking abilities of Joey Clarke, Caolan Donnelly and Conor O’Neill worked a treat, as Matthew Quinn and Conall Sheehy also forged forward.

A two pointer courtesy of Ruairi McCullagh gave them breathing space again and he added a free soon after as a prelude to the brilliant second goal from Noah Grimes. He was put through by Conan Devlin and made no mistake with a left footed shot to the top corner.

But there was to be yet more drama. Tyrone had to clear the ball off the line twice within seconds as Kerry pressed. A point for them from Killian Dennehy left the score 2-8 to 0-9 and gave Tyrone forewarning that there was absolutely no room for complacency on the resumption.

There was little between the teams during those opening stages on the resumption. Swapped points between Eoin McElholm for Tyrone and Eddie Healy for Kerry maintained the status quo. But the tension soon mounted as both teams sensed that the time was passing all too quickly.

Small margins were now coming increasingly into play. Ben Murphy was wide for Kerry from a half goal chance. But they added two more points, Paddy Lane from a free and Ronan Carroll. Still, they were missing chances as the Tyrone defence tackled like demons and forced them into poor shot selection.

Now was the time to raise the tempo. With the tie still very much in the balance, Kerry struck for a goal that brought them right back into contention.

A shot from Ben Murphy was brilliantly saved by Conan McGarvey. Then, a second shot was scrambled off the line before Tomas Kennedy finally palmed the ball to the net.

The score was now 2-11 to 1-13, just a point between them sides and time for either to grab a winning initiative. Suddenly, the pressure was on Tyrone, but they responded with the type of counter-attacking and determination which has become a hallmark of this side.

Matthew Quinn responded with a great run along the endline before fisting over. Then Ruairi McCullagh converted a free to provide them with vital breathing space. Kerry struggled to find their feet again, as the Red Hands raced towards the final whistle thanks to an Eoin McElholm point.

Moments later came the final whistle on a quality performance that puts Tyrone into the All-Ireland Final again.

Mayo or Louth await in what promises to be a intriguing tussle later this month.

Scorers

Tyrone: Ruairi McCullagh 0-8 (1 2pt, 1 ’45, 4f), Eoin McElholm 1-4 (1f), Noah Grimes 1-0, Shea McDermott 0-1, Matthew Quinn 0-1

Kerry:  Paddy Lane 0-6 (4f), Killian Dennehy 0-3, Eddie Healy 0-2, Daniel Kirby 0-1, Ronan Carroll 0-1, Tomas Kennedy 0-1.

Teams

Tyrone:  Conan McGarvey, Fiachra Nelis, Ben Hughes, Conor Devlin, Callum Daly, Joey Clarke, Caolan Donnelly, Conan Devlin, Conor O’Neill, Conall Sheehy, Eoin McElholm, Matthew Quinn, Noah Grimes, Ruairi McCullagh, Liam Og Mossey. Subs – Sean Broderick for C Devlin (24), Shea McDermott for N Grimes (49), Shea McDermott for N Grimes (46), Darragh Donaghy for L Og Mossey (58), Eoin Donaghy for

Kerry – Michael Tansley, Aodhna O Beaglaoich, Gearoid Evans, Maidhci Lynch, Liam Evans, Darragh O’Connor, Ben Murphy, Eddie Healy, Daniel Kirby, Ciaran Collins, Evan Boyle, Killian Dennehy, Paddy Lane, Tomas Kennedy, Donagh O’Sullivan. Subs – Ronan Collins for C Emmett Daly for E Boyle (47), Ronan Carroll for D O’Sullivan (50) (57), Jack O’Sullivan for D Kirby (57).

Referee – Barry Judge, Sligo.