Tyrone Under-20s defend their All-Ireland title in style

TYRONE 5-16 LOUTH 0-17

TYRONE Under-20s produced a five star showing as they defended their All-Ireland title with a dazzling attacking display against battling Louth at the Athletic Grounds on Wednesday night.

Two goals apiece from man of the match Noah Grimes and Eoin McElholn put the holders in the box-seat, with a late rasper to the net from sub Shea McDermott embelishing the occasion.

While Grimes and captain Joey Clarke pointed for Tyrone inside the first four minutes, it was Louth who made the more enterprising start as they chased their first All-Ireland title at this grade, whether under the guise of u21s or u20s.

With midfielders Sean Callaghan and James Maguire lording it around the centre, where they took a firm grip the Wee County jumped out in front courtesy of scores from those twin totem poles, as well as Conor Mac Croista.

With the underdogs in the ascendancy it required a superb point blank save by Tyrone keeper Conan McGarvey to deny Tony McDonnell a goal, but out the field the Red Hands struggled for any fluency or cohesion.

However their hopes were buoyed by a cracking Grimes goal in the 15^th minute, the Donaghmore ace selling his marker Padraic Tinnelly an audacious dummy before cutting in and firing across the keeper into the net.

Louth responded with some brilliant scores from Tadhg McDonnell and James Maguire, but Tyrone were gradully flickering into life and Eoin McElholm and Grimes again split the posts with composed efforts.

A mighty hoof from Callaghan went over for a spectacular Louth two pointer, but on the stroke of half-time McElholm swooped on a poor clearance by keeper Tiarnan Markey to tee up Grimes for a critical tap in second goal. (Half-time Tyrone 2-7 Louth 0-8)

While McElholm and Conor O’Neill registered scores on the resumption, Louth refused to go quietly into the night, and they reeled off four in a row, including a Tadhg Mcdonnell two pointer to come roaring back into contention.

There was some last ditch defending from Tyrone with skipper Joey Clarke clearing an effort off his own line, but having survived a few scares the Ulster champions came on strong again.

Two typically sharp finishes to the net by McElholm put them firmly in command and with McDermott also lashing in a goal, their title defence had reached a successful conclusion.

Teams & Scorers

Tyrone: Conan McGarvey, Fiachra Nelis, Ben Hughes, Conor Devlin, Callum Daly, Joey Clarke (0-1), Caolan Donnelly (0-1), Conan Devlin, Conor O’Neill (0-1), Conall Sheehy, Eoin McElholm (2-4), Matthew Quinn, Noah Grimes (2-6), Ruairi McCullagh (0-2,1f), Liam Og Mossey. Subs used: Eoin Donaghy for C Sheehy (54), Darragh Donaghy for L Mossey (54), Shea McDermott (1-1) for C Devlin (58), Liam Lawn for R McCullagh (60), Sean Broderick for F Nelis (60)

Louth: Tiarnan Markey, Michael Reid, Kevlin Martin, Padraic Tinnelly, Tadgh McDonnell (0-3,1tp), Cormac McKeown, Conor McGinty, Sean Callaghan (0-3,1tp), James Maguire (0-4,1tp), Shane Lennon, Conor Mac Criosta (0-1), Pearse Grimes-Murphy, Adam Gillespie (0-1,f), Tony McDonnell (0-2,1f), Darragh Dorian (0-1). Subs used: Ben McKeown for M Reid (43), Dylan Shevlin (0-1) for D Dorian (50), James McGlew for C McGinty (50)

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)