Allianz National Football League Division 1
Tyrone 1-11 Dublin 2-14
This defeat now means that Tyrone will join Derry, Donegal, Meath, Laois, Kildare, Antrim and Sligo in Division 2 in 2011.
Photos taken by TyroneGAA.ie photographer Jim Dunne
www.jamesdphotography.co.uk
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Match report from www.gaa.ie
Brogan blitz relegates Red Hands
Mickey Harte’s Tyrone were relegated to Division 2 of the Allianz GAA Football National League after a 2-14 to 1-11 defeat to Dublin in Omagh on Sunday afternoon.
The defeat means the Red Hands finish in a three-way tie at the foot of the table, level with Monaghan and Derry, but their inferior scoring difference (-15) sees them join Derry in Division 2 next year.
Dublin led 2-10 to 0-7 at the break after goals from Alan Brogan and Niall Corkery, leaving the Red Hands with an uphill struggle in the second half.
Tyrone improved in the third quarter with Martin Penrose grabbing a goal immediately after the restart, but their comeback fizzled out in the end and Pat Gilroy’s charges earned their fifth win of the campaign – but it was not enough to give them a place in the league final because of Mayo’s win in Leeside.
Bernard Brogan, Dublin’s key player in the league this year, was once again is supreme form. He kicked four points from play for the Dubs in the opening stages. Tyrone struggled to shackle the Dublin danger man, with Conor Gormley the man given the unenviable task of curbing his influence.
The Red Hands looked sharp in the opening stages and Séan Cavanagh and Kyle Coney sent them into an early lead before Bernard Brogan hit a hot streak and Eamon Fennell and Kevin McManamon kicked further points to give Dublin a 0-6 to 0-3 lead.
The Dubs have taken a lot of flak over the brand of football they have played this year, but the detractors will no doubt have been won over by some of the stylish attacking football they played in the second quarter.
As usual, Bernard Brogan was the key player, but this time he turned provider for his brother, Alan, who struck a fine goal after coming on as a substitute. Bernard Brogan then kicked his seventh point of the afternoon, before Corkery crowned his league debut with Dublin’s second goal.
Tyrone needed to make a strong start to the second half, and that is exactly what they did. Michael Savage, the Dublin goalkeeper, appeared to be in control after collecting a high ball, but he was stripped of possession by Martin Penrose who sent the ball to the back of the net. Peter Harte then added another point for the Red Hands and the gap was suddenly down to five points.
It is an overused cliché, but Mickey Harte, the Tyrone boss, must have given his players a stern talking to at the break, because they were a completely changed side in the second half. Peter Harte and Kevin Hughes, especially, were inspirational, while Jonny Curran was on hand to make two superb saves, from Dublin’s Michael Darragh MacAuley and Kevin McManamon.
Tyrone reduced the gap to four points thanks to Cavanagh’s point in the 46th minute, but their challenge flagged somewhat as David Henry and the Brogan brothers, Alan and Bernard, left daylight between the sides once again by stringing three points together without reply.
However, the Red Hands were thrown a lifeline when Henry was shown a second yellow card and the Dubs were reduced to 14 men.
Cavanagh and Hughes chipped in with further scores, but it was too late for the Red Hands as McManamon kicked a late point for the Dubs to give them a 2-14 to 1-11 victory.
