Football

Tyrone power into the Ulster U17 semi-final with victory over Down

Down's Peter McMullan in action against Tyrone's Michael McGleenan Picture by Philip Walsh
Down's Peter McMullan in action against Tyrone's Michael McGleenan Picture by Philip Walsh Down's Peter McMullan in action against Tyrone's Michael McGleenan Picture by Philip Walsh

Electric Ireland Ulster MFC round two: Down 0-9 Tyrone 2-11

TYRONE powered into the  semi-final with a second away win, pushing Down into the Qualifiers with an eight-point success at Pairc Esler.

The home side had to toil the final 25 minutes with 14 players after centre-forward Justin Clarke was booked for a second time, and it proved too great a handicap.

Daniel Fullerton’s 1-5 haul, along with a Mark Hayes goal, made all the difference for the Red Hands, inaugural All-Ireland champions at this new U17 grade.

“They came and they ground it out, and that’s the second day in a row we were away from home. But it’s nice to get to a semi-final,” said Tyrone manager Collie Holmes.

The Red Hand boss was pleased with the manner in which his defence approached their individual assignments.

“Cormac Quinn had a big job in the full-back line on Shealan Johnston, Oisin McHugh had a great job on Clarke as well, and until he went off injured, Lorcan McBride was managing the square really well against big Connolly.

“From the last day, there was a lot of attention on Michael McGleenan, and we had to vary the kick-outs to take a bit of the pressure off him, and eventually as the game opened up, he got back on song again.

“The key men stood up again, and we were able to freshen things up by shuffling the bench.”

Hayes dodged his way past four tackles to drill low to the net for a brilliant first goal on eight minutes, and the Mourne lads were already chasing the game.

Star attacker Shealan Johnston was held to a single point from play by the excellent Cormac Quinn, hitting a gem from far out on the right wing to keep his side in touch late in the first half.

But by that time Tyrone had found their rhythm, and scores from Fullerton, Tarlach Quinn and Oran Mulgrew had them 1-5 to 0-3 ahead at the break.

Justin Clarke, who had kicked a couple of tidy points, was sent off on a second yellow card in the 38th minute, but Down held it together until the beginning of the final quarter, trailing by just three, after Johnston and Tom Smyth had hit the target.

Michael McGleenan stepped up his game around the middle as Tyrone found another gear, with Fullerton finishing with efficiency from frees and play, before he fired in his side’s second goal on 59 minutes.

Down boss James McCartan feared the worst once his side went down to 14 men early in the second half.

“It was unfortunate for we were obviously going for broke at that stage anyway, and with an extra man, it’s a big field for 16-year-olds,” he said.

“We were clawing our way back, and obviously the sending off was disappointing.

“We probably paid Tyrone a bit too much respect in the first half, and we had to go for it in the second.

“But Tyrone were the better team, they took their chances.

“We were a bit disappointed at the scoreline at the end, but they took their goal chances and that was the difference.”

Down: D Sheridan; D Fegan, L Toal, R Tumilty; L Brannigan, G Fitzpatrick, P McMullan; M Cunningham, A Morgan; S Campbell, J Clarke (0-2), T Close (0-1); S Johnston (0-5, 0-4 frees), R Connolly, T Smyth (0-1)

Subs: B Boyd for McMullen, J McGovern for Tumilty, A Gilmore for Campbell, C McLaughlin for Close, P Quinn for Morgan

Tyrone: M McGale; C Quinn, L McBride, L Kilpatrick; R Duffin (0-1), K Barker, O McHugh; T Quinn (0-1), M McGleenan (0-1); B Groogan, O Mulgrew (0-1), C McBride; D Fullerton (1-5, 0-3 frees), M Hayes (1-1), T Mackle.

Subs: C Devlin for L McBride, M Devlin for Groogan, S Grogan (0-1) for Mackle, C Quinn for McHugh, P McCallan for C McBride

Referee: J Lewis (Fermanagh)