Tyrone Under-20s reach Leo Murphy Cup Final

Tyrone 3-14
Down 0-7

THE two unbeaten sides in their section met at Garvaghey on Saturday morning with a place in the Leo Murphy U20 Final the prize at stake and it was Tyrone who claimed it with an impressive victory over Down.

The Red Hands dominated proceedings from the off and the game was as good as over by half-time with the score reading 2-8 to 0-4.

In the second half both sides took the opportunity to empty their benches and while this was a good win for Tyrone they won’t be taking anything for granted with the possibility of meeting the same opponents in the quarter final of the championship should the Mourne men overcome Fermanagh in the preliminary round. For now though they have a final against Donegal to look forward to and another opportunity to get valuable minutes under their belt before the real business of championship begins.

Down left half back Paul Og McEvoy opened the scoring in the fourth minute but it was all downhill for the visitors after that.

Tyrone came straight up the field for Ciaran Bogue to level matters and in the sixth minute the Clogher man added a goal when he took a pass from Ciaran Daly before finishing low to the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Ruairi Canavan then hit the score of the game, an outstanding effort from out on the left wing and that was followed by a brace of frees from the same player for a 1-4 to 0-1 lead by the 12th minute.

Oisin Savage converted a Down free but moments later Tyrone grabbed their second goal when Dan Muldoon punched the ball to the net after his initial shot had been saved by keeper Thomas Burns.

Canavan knocked over three more frees while Bogue could have had a second goal but this time he blasted over the bar.

Sean O’Donnell then won possession from a Down kick-out to kick a neat point as Tyrone assumed complete control. Savage had another point from a free before the same player had the final score of the first half from play although it shouldn’t have counted as it was clearly wide of the left hand post.

Canavan opened the second half scoring from a long range free before he then embarked on a superb run before off loading for midfielder Ruairi McHugh to get his name on the scoresheet.

In the 36th minute full back Brian Conway, who was superb throughout, powered his way through to kick a brilliant point with the outside of his boot. Savage and Canavan exchanged points from frees and while Tyrone lost Conway to a black card they still continued to dominate as both sides empted the bench.

Oran McGrath had a goal chance saved by Down substitute keeper Aodhan Furlong before Bogue landed an eye catching point from forty metres out.

Savage converted two further frees for Down but it was Tyrone who closed the game out in style when a point from an O’Donnell placed ball was followed by a 58th minute goal from the impressive Michael Rafferty.