Football

How the Tyrone and Cork players rated last Saturday

Tyrone's Cathal McShane and Cork's James Loughrey battle it out on Saturday. Picture by Philip Walsh.
Tyrone's Cathal McShane and Cork's James Loughrey battle it out on Saturday. Picture by Philip Walsh. Tyrone's Cathal McShane and Cork's James Loughrey battle it out on Saturday. Picture by Philip Walsh.

Tyrone

Niall Morgan: Beaten twice but had little chance with either shot. His kick-outs were accurate – long and short – but he did send two frees wide. 6

Hugh Pat McGeary: Picked up Luke Connolly but lost him for the first Cork goal after 15 seconds. Steadied afterwards but was substituted at the break. 5

Ronan McNamee: Keeping Brian Hurley scoreless was a good evening’s work. Cork’s main attacking threat came down the right flank but McNamee ensured that Hurley didn’t get into the game. 7

Rory Brennan: Kept Mark Collins scoreless from play. His determined running and tackling were vital, particularly in the first half when Tyrone were under sustained pressure. 6.5

Michael McKernan: Drawn to the ball as Loughrey burst through for his goal, he was moved up to right half-forward early at the start of the second half and made amends with the pass for McShane’s ‘major’. Made way for Tiarnan McCann after 52 minutes. 6

Kieran McGeary: Played the ball to Niall Sludden for the penalty. Also won a free for McShane. Found Ruairi Deane a handful in the first half. 6

Frank Burns: Totally committed and full of energy, he is improving with every game. His workrate was immense and his distribution was often superb. One of the outstanding performers for Tyrone on Saturday. 8.5

Colm Cavanagh: Dropped back into the sweeper position when Cork had possession. Busy in the first half and worked hard against the Cork midfield pair. 6

Brian Kennedy: Made occasional forward forays in the first half but otherwise couldn’t get into the game and was subbed at the break. 5

Mattie Donnelly: See Star Man

Niall Sludden: Mattie Taylor edged their first half battle but Sludden thrived on Tyrone’s forward momentum after the break. Barged over when he raced into the square and his side were awarded a penalty. 7

Peter Harte: Finished with 1-5. His first half point from play was pure class and Tyrone desperately needed it. Smashed home the penalty to give his side a lead they never lost. 8

Darren McCurry: Worked hard but where was the confident forward who kicked three superb points in three minutes against Cavan? Hit one wide and then seemed shot-shy and off the pace. Substituted at half-time. 5

Cathal McShane: The leader of the attack. Always wanted the ball. Scored an early point and hit the post twice before his luck turned. Superb finish for his goal and ended the game with 1-5. 8

Conor Meyler: A bundle of energy but lacked composure in the first half and passing was off target. He clipped over a fine score though. Swapped places with McKernan in the half-time reshuffle and put in a good shift. 7

Subs:

Richie Donnelly: Replaced Kennedy at the break. After a nervous start he came into his own, winning vital ball at midfield that turned the tide for the Red Hands. 7

Michael Cassidy: On at the interval in a roving role. Well positioned at the death to snuff out any danger of a Cork equaliser. 5.5

Padraig Hampsey: Returned to the fray when he replaced HP McGeary at half-time. Kicked one wide. 5.5

Tiarnan McCann: A handy man to have on the bench. Came on for the last 20 minutes and helped Tyrone maintain their grip on the game. Scored a fine point. 6

Connor McAliskey: His energy and enthusiasm fired Tyrone up for the final quarter. Played one-two with Rory Brennan that led to Peter Harte score. 6

Star Man

Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)

Mounting body of evidence that he is at his best on the end of attacks. Battled hard out the field in the first half but came into his own as an inside forward in the second. Did the spadework for McShane’s crucial goal and scored three superb points from play to lead the Red Hands to victory. 9

Cork

Mark White: Saved well from Mattie Donnelly late in the second half. Blameless for both goals. Lucky to get away with a short kick-out that went astray. 6

Stephen Cronin: Operated as the sweeper and was comfortable when Tyrone played with just one up front. Not so much against two. Shrugged off by Mattie Donnelly in the build-up to McShane’s goal and overrun in the second half. 5.5

Thomas Clancy: Picked up McShane. Lost him for an early point but stuck to his task. Came off second best after the break and was lucky to escape with a booking after checking Peter Harte run. 6

Kevin Flahive: Tracked Darren McCurry who was pushed out the field and was unable to get into the game. He got forward himself to win a free for Collins. Struggled against Mattie Donnelly in the second period. 5.5

Liam O’Donovan: Popped up all over the place. A tenacious tackler, he broke with purpose too. Took down McGeary early in the second half and McShane’s pointed free sparked Tyrone’s comeback. 6

Tomas Clancy: Lasted just 12 minutes before he was injured and replaced by Loughrey. Not on long enough to be rated.

Mattie Taylor: Played ball in for the early goal then ghosted forward to kick a fine point from the left wing. Lost Niall Sludden after the break and his shove in his back handed Tyrone a penalty. 5.5

Ian Maguire: Broke forward to play the assist for Connolly’s dramatic opener. Put his body on the line in the midfield battle to win some crucial ball. 6

Killian O’Hanlon: Booked in the first half for a crude tackle on Kennedy. Worked well in tandem with his midfield partner Maguire at times. His industry created a goal chance for Connolly. 6

Kevin O’Driscoll: Put in a ton of work tackling and tracking Tyrone runners. Faded in the second half as the Red Hands stretched the game. 6

Sean White: Capable ball carrier who didn’t look flustered even when surrounded by white jerseys. Saw a lot of the ball in the first half when the Rebels dominated possession, scored a point early in the second half. 7

Ruairi Deane: Drifted in and out of the full-forward line. Played the defence-splitting pass for Loughrey’s goal. Clever and calm in possession. Excellent in the first half but not quite the same force in the second. 6.5

Mark Collins: Had Rory Brennan for company. Two first half frees were all he could muster and he drifted into a deeper role. One second half wide and he was called ashore after 52 minutes. 5.5

Brian Hurley: Got out in front of Ronan McNamee for the first goal. That was his major contribution and he wasn’t able to get into the game afterwards. 5

Luke Connolly: His early goal put the cat among the pigeons and he added a free before half-time. Missed two as well and, although he added two points in the second half, he sent a crucial goal chance wide. 6.5

Substitutes:

James Loughrey: In after 12 minutes and he burst into a pocket of space in front of the Tyrone posts and lashed a shot past Niall Morgan. 6

Paul Kerrigan: The Nemo Rangers veteran was thrown into the action early in the second half but couldn’t get into the game. 5

Michael Hurley: Younger brother of Brian came on after 52 minutes and scored four superb points from the right wing. Kept the Rebels in a game that was slipping away from them. 8

Sean Powter: Replaced White after an hour but was unable to turn the tide. 5

John O’Rourke: An assist for a Hurley point and one of his own after he was introduced for an impressive 10-minute cameo. 6

Stephen Sherlock: Not on long enough to be rated.