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In The Irish News - Jan 11 1998: Brian McEniff's Ulster squad come from behind to defeat Tyrone

Ulster manager Brian McEniff
Ulster manager Brian McEniff Ulster manager Brian McEniff

ULSTER came from behind to defeat Tyrone by two points in an entertaining friendly at Dungannon, a display which pleased manager Brian McEniff.

Newcomer Fergal Coyle was the hero of the first period, cracking home two well-taken goals, and although Tony Boyle and Jarlath Burns replied with Ulster goals, a third Tyrone three-pointer from Eoin Gormley saw the home side lead by 3-6 to 2-2 at the interval.

But Tyrone managed to score just twice in the second half as Ulster’s Railway Cup preparations finally began to take shape. With Gary Coleman always composed at the back, they closed the gap with a goal from substitute Jimmy McGuinness at the end of the third quarter.

Points flowed from the boots of Mickey Linden, Raymond Gallagher and Tony Boyle. But the result could have been different had goalkeeper Michael McVeigh not saved superbly from Peter Canavan, one of three Errigal Ciaran players back in the side for the first time this season.

Tyrone: F McConnell, P Devlin, S Teague, C Lawn, B Meenagh, Pascal Canavan, T McKenna, G Hughes (0-1), J Gormley, C McBride, Peter Canavan, C Loughran (0-1), A Cush (0-1), E Gormley (1-4), F Coyle (2-1).

Subs: S Corr for Devlin, V Owens for Gormley, B Eccles for McKenna, S McCarron for McConnell.

Ulster: M McVeigh, M Mulholland, C Brady, G Coleman, J J Doherty (0-1), N Hegarty, B Morris, D McCabe, J Burns (1-1), P McGrane, P Reilly, D Marsden, R Gallagher (0-2), T Boyle (1-3), M Linden (0-2).

Sub: J McGuinness (1-1) for Brady.

Referee: C Donnelly

THE latest outings for the GAA’s experimental rules saw seven players sent off in the lesser provincial football competitions.

Roscommon’s Niall O’Donoghue and Mayo’s Fergal Costelloe were dismissed for two bookable offences in the FBD Connacht League clash at Ballyhaunis.

Galway players Padraic Joyce and Padraig Boyce received their marching orders in the match against Leitrim while three men Kevin Walsh (Tipperary), Tom Andlam and Martin Power (both Waterford) were sent off in the McGrath Cup game at Ardfinnan.

THE Irish Football Association will have to break new ground and pay a record fee for quality manager, after speaking to Terry Venables at the weekend.

The association’s chairman Jim Boyce and secretary, David Bowen, held brief talks with Terry Venables on Friday evening in London.

The contracted Australia coach met with Boyce and Bowen in England. Venables’ contract with Soccer Australia, the country’s national soccer association, was worth over £200,000 for the chairman of English League club Portsmouth.

Last night David Bowen would not comment on the IFA’s financial stance, should Venables show an interest in managing Northern Ireland.

When asked if the IFA could afford Venables credentials, Bowen replied: “That is a matter for the International Committee.

“We will bring the members our report and await what they have to say. Nothing will be said until the committee is abreast with our reaction to the meeting.”