All roads led to Dublin on Saturday as the Tyrone under 14’s were playing in the All Ireland Blitz. They started the day at Croí ro Naofa park in a section with counties Meath, Westmeath and Mayo. The games were played as two twelve minute halves and the top two teams in the group would progress to the semi-finals. First up for Tyrone was Mayo and early on Megan Vincent added a long range point for the red hands. Casey Gallagher then pounced on a loose ball to net the first goal as Mayo were unable to deal with the pace of the Tyrone midfield. There was lots of play around the centre of the park when Mayo launched the ball from half way aided by a strong wind into the back of the net. Niamh McNulty was able send the ball into the Mayo half back line when quite amazingly a long range effort again sailed into the back of the Tyrone goal. There was only minutes left and Tyrone were able peg back another two points with Megan Vincent and Catherine Muldoon to leave the game a draw with a score line Mayo 2-0 Tyrone 1-3.
Westmeath were up next and points from Leanne Donnelly(2), Niamh Faulker and Catherine Donnelly gave a much deserved win to Tyrone. Westmeath 0-0 Tyrone 0-4. The final match was Meath and a draw would see Tyrone progress to the final. It was a one sided affair as they ran 3-5 to 0-1 winners. Tyrone easily topped their group and they made the short journey to the semi-final to St Anne’s complex in Tallagh. The opponents were Kerry and the action around both goal mouths was frantic but Kerry were able to be more clinical when they had the chances. The match could have gone either way as the sides had a similar style of play however Kerry took the final spot with a score line of Tyrone 2-1 Kerry 3-2. Kerry went on to win the final when the beat Wicklow. It’s now the end of the season for this age group and the season will be remembered for the displays on the field and of course that Ulster championship title won. The girls will have a presentation evening at the start of November. A big thanks to Ross Corbett from Ulster camogie who mad the day a seamless and enjoyable experience for all the clubs who participated in the finals. Both the hosting clubs also laid on refreshments for everyone on the day. Some parents also made the journey to support their county and help out on the day.
All clubs are asked to forward the names of the names of their under 16 players to Martin Donnelly for next Saturdays championship blitz to be held in a Tyrone venue. More details will be sent out soon regarding format of the competition.
In club news there was a win for Eglish in the Minor championship and that now means they have done the double in that age category. It was a very entertaining match and thanks to all who came in support and also Derrylaughan KB for the use of their facilities at short notice.
The under 16 Eileen Coney cup championship will be played this Friday with Edendork and Eglish. The under 14 championship will be decided on Friday week as Dungannon will take on Eglish.
Naomh Treasa of Dungannon will play in the first round of the Ulster championship on Sunday against Castletara of Cavan at 11:30am in O’Neills,Cains pitch. It’s only the second time in the clubs history that they have managed to progress into Ulster and we wish them every success.
