“We got them as boys and hope to hand them back as men”

THE Tyrone U-17s are looking to the further despite their agoinsinhg one point defeat to Derry in the Ulster semi-final.

Team manager, Colin Holmes, praised the efforts of the players, saying that the management had ‘got them as boys, and were handing them back to their clubs as men.’

“They’re all playing senior football now and representing their clubs with distinction,” he said.

“When we got them they were only U16s and U17s, so it’s been phenomenal to watch the transformation in them, and they stuck to the task. That’s been the most pleasing thing.

“In Tyrone we would always like to get to the semi-final and further, we haven’t got to the next step, but hopefully we’ll hand boys on in better physical shape and emotionally able to deal with the big day.”

In what was a rip-roaring contest, the young Red Hands just missed out on reaching the final. Their bid for the equaliser right at the end fell just short.

But this was a game which kept the 500 attendance entertained from start to finish. Four goals in the opening period speaks volumes about the standard of play.

Tyrone began without the services of ace attacker, Ruairi Canavan, but they battled well and goals from Conor McGillion and Cormac Devlin kept them very much in contention.

Ruairi Canavan and Conor Cush edged them ahead on the resumption, but a goal from Matthew Downey for Derry put them ahead and they held out for the win.