Two goals in quick succession before half-time proved decisive as Tyrone saw off Roscommon to seal their place in this year’s All-Ireland Minor Football Championship Final.
After a tight opening quarter, the Connacht champions had put themselves ahead on the scoreboard with Séamus Hussey’s superb 26th-minute goal.
But Tyrone hit back with ruthless efficiency. Peter Colton’s point attempt squirmed across the square and into the path of Joel Kerr, who bundled home the Red Hands’ first goal. Just moments later, Colton made amends in style, weaving through the Roscommon defence and finishing to the net himself, turning the game on its head.
Midfielder James Mulgrew added a point in between those goals, and by the break, Tyrone had opened up a 2-6 to 1-5 advantage — a lead they never relinquished.
The early exchanges had been evenly contested, with Eoin Long and Darren McAnespie on target for Tyrone, while Luke Shally and Dean Casey responded for Roscommon. McAnespie’s fisted effort — the only mark-turned-score of the day — nudged Tyrone in front briefly, but Roscommon weren’t rattled. Stylish scores from Shally and Seamie Carthy kept things level at 0-4 each inside the opening ten minutes.
After Mulgrew and Carthy swapped points, Roscommon struck gold through Hussey’s superbly worked goal, capping off a flowing move with a clinical finish.
But Tyrone’s double-blow before the break shifted momentum firmly in their favour and left Roscommon chasing the game in worsening conditions.
A black card for Thomas Meenan shortly after half-time didn’t derail the Ulster champions. Frees from Pearses McDonald and Eoin Long pushed them further clear, although Tyrone had a golden chance to seal the game from the penalty spot — after goalkeeper Cian Trimble was black-carded for a foul on Joel Kerr — but stand-in ’keeper Dean Casey kept out Kerr’s attempt.
Tyrone continued to manage the game well, picking off scores through Aodhan Quinn, Long, Meenan, and Cathal Farley — ensuring all six starting forwards got on the board.
Roscommon battled to the end, with Casey, Shally and Christopher Feerick adding scores, but they couldn’t claw back the deficit against a physically dominant and composed Tyrone side that now head for the All-Ireland final full of confidence.
By Rory Cox Sun 22nd Jun
