Masters reach All Ireland Final

Tyrone reached the All Ireland Gaelic Masters Cup Final on Saturday courtesy of a 2-11 to 1-10 victory over Cavan at Truagh, Co. Monaghan. In a tough, competitive affair last years Shield finalist’s came head to head in the premier masters semi final. It was Cavan who opened the scoring with a free from Art McSeain. The same player was proving to be a handful for the Tyrone defence in the opening phase and he added two more points from play to put his team into a 3 point lead with barely 7 minutes on the clock. Mark Donnelly replied for Tyrone to open their account with a point and added two more from frees. Tyrone began to dominate proceedings but were not making it count on the scoreboard with several poor shot choices and wayward passes. Only a resolute Tyrone defence kept Tyrone in it with Gavin Mc Elroy giving a commanding display at full back. Cavan’s pressure began to pay off and their midfield duo of Christy Shields and Brian Doyle began to exert
considerable influence around the middle third. This period of Cavan dominance saw Art McSeain split the posts again and add further points from Christy Shields and Aidan Reilly pushed them 3 up. The introduction of Kevin Gormley and Brendan Sheehy for Tyrone provided must needed stability to Tyrone and it soon paid dividends with a number of sweeping moves culminating in points from Stephen Dooher and Sean Barkley. With the half time whistle approaching things were evenly balanced. However Tyrone were to go in at the break ahead striking a goal with minutes remaining. A dangerous long ball from Cavan was cut out by Tyrone full back Gavin Mc Elroy who went on a supporting run deep into the Cavan half. He found Damien Gormley who kicked high into the Cavan goal mouth where the on-rushing Mark Donnelly fisted to the net despite the best efforts of Cavan goalie Kevin Madden. Half Time score Tyrone 1-6, Cavan 0-6.
The second half saw Tyrone come out buoyed up by their goal before half time and they went on the attack again searching for more scores to extend their lead. Cavan, however, were in no mood to surrender a place in the final and their defence stood tall in the opening exchanges. Patrick Mulligan and Ciaran Fox made several timely interceptions to clear danger. But eventually something had to give and Tyrone target man Mark Donnelly increased his tally with points from play and the dead ball. Conor Day, another assured Tyrone performer on the day, added two points. Cavan responded again with the impressive Noel Mc Philips firing over and another from Art McSeain who kept them in touch with a free. Cavan were awarded a rather fortuitous free in front of the Tyrone goals. A lobbing ball found Noel Mc Philips who blasted to the net. Back in the game Cavan were re- energised and came forward in search of winning scorers. Tyrone custodian, Kieran Leonard was called upon more than once to clear his lines as Cavan probed for a winner. Several great interceptions and high catches by Tyrones Kevin Gormley and Brendan Sheehy denied them vital chances and sent Tyrone down the field to much needed territorial gain. The game was there for the taking but Tyrone were to get the score that sealed it when Mark Gallagher found the net for Tyrone after the same player made a strong run up the wing, played a one two and finished to the Cavan net. The outstanding Mark Donnelly was to have the last say to bring his tally to 1-7 and send Tyrone through to the Master Final on a score line of 2-11 to 1-10.
Tyrone were best served by Mc Elroy, Gormley, Sheehy and Barkley in defence. Substitutes Dean Molloy and Gerard Mc Williams provided fresh legs at a vital stage. Up front their forward unit proved a handful for Cavan with Lawn, Daly, Darcy, Gormley and most notably Donnelly in fine form on the day. Substitute Barry Porter was also influential after his introduction in the second half. Cavan had some excellent performances and can count themselves unlucky not to have made the final. Noel Mc Philips was strong throughout and up front Art McSeain remained a constant thorn in the side of the Tyrone defence. Around the middle Brian Doyle and Christy Shields battled hard and along with Padraig Sheridan put up an admirable challenge. Tyrone face Galway in the final which will be live on Irish TV on the 6th of November at a venue yet to be decided.
Cavan:Kevin Madden(Gowna), Barney Brady(Lacken), Patrick Mulligan(Arva), Mark Rehill(Crosserlough),Noel Mc Philips(Butlersbridge), Ciaran Fox (Cootehill), Oliver Costello(Crosserlough), Brian Doyle(Cornafean), Christy Shields(Mullahoran), Mickey Ward(Shercock), Padraig Sheridan(Ballymacugh), Aidan Reilly(Crosserlough, Seamus Donohoe(Lavey), Tom Mc Guire(Mullahoran), Art Mc Seain(Cornafean),Gerry Hughes(Drumgoon),Jason Reilly(Belturbet), Joe Crowe(Lacken), Ray Brady(Arva), Philip Clarke(Baileborough), Gabriel Patterson(Kingscourt), Mark Greaney(Killygarry), Padraig Brady(Gowna), Damien Duignan(Gowna), Bernard Young(Drumalee), Liam Sherlock(Cootehill), Liam Young (Cornafean), Barry Mc Gahon(Cootehill). Manager: Jimmy Galligan(Lacken)Selectors: Fergal Harkin(Lacken), Philip Brady(Arva)
Scorers: Art Mc Seain (0-7), Noel Mc Philips (1-1), Christy Shields(0-1), Aidan O’Reilly(0-1)
Tyrone: Kieran Leonard( Castlederg), Gary Mc Kenna (Killyclogher), Gavin Mc Elroy (Carrickmore), John Fee (Coalisland),Stephen Dooher(Owen Roes)Paul Sweeney (Killyclogher),Sean Barkley(Strabane), Mark Gallagher (Eglish), Richard O’Neill (Strabane), Conor Daly (Trillick), Damien Gormley(Trillick), Mickey McConomy (Newtownstewart) Mark Darcy (Tattyreagh), Stephen Lawn(Moortown), Mark Donnelly (Fintona), Gerard Mc Williams(Fintona),Dean Molloy (Strabane), John Mc Kenna (Donaghmore), Brian Mc Elroy(Killyclogher),Barry Porter (Owen Roes), Kevin Gormley (Carrickmore), Brenadan Sheehy(Cookstown),Conrad Quinn(Moortown), Donal Mc Crossan (Dregish), Andy Mc Sorley(Newtownstewart),
Scorers. Mark Donnelly(1-7), Mark Gallagher(1-0), Conor Daly (0-2), Sean Barkley(0-1), Stephen Dooher(0-1)
Report by Cormac O’Reilly