Tyrone made it two in a row this year against a determined Cavan side on Sunday in Derrytresk to reach the All Ireland League Division 4 final. The weather was in stark contrast to the previous weeks and it was warm with a strong gusty wind.
There was an explosive start to the game when Cavan took a point within two minutes when Sinéad Brady slotted from the 45 metre line. Caoimhe Rafferty for Tyrone then went close soon after but shot just wide. The game had not really settled but Cavan looked stronger in places in the early stages. The away side were playing into the wind and Tina Reilly fired home from close range to give them a two point lead. There was a fair few fierce tackles all over the park and a few frees were exchanged. This led to Tyrone’s first point when Aisling Corr was the beneficiary. Two minutes later Oonagh O’Neill scored another for Tyrone when Maria Jordan picked out a perfect pass.
Tyrone were now finding their feet and there was a neat bout of interplay between Corr, Shauna Jordan and Niamh McNulty and a well-deserved goal followed. This gave Tyrone the lead and its one they never lost after 10 minutes. Corr then had another free from the side-line and sent the sliotar high over the cross bar. McNulty extended the lead with a beautiful point from open play. Cavan were conceding a lot more frees and Corr again was on form to take the next two. Tyrone captain Julie Lagan then picked up the ball from within her own half and launched it goal bound, it deceived their goal keeper and went straight in.
Cavan were content to defend for most of this half and it was Tyrone who were successful in breaking that defence down. Emma McAliskey and Emma McShane were as always strong and determined. Shauna Jordan seemed to come of worse from the fierce tackles that dominated the game. It was McAliskey that took the best point of the game and closed the half at Tyrone 2:08 Cavan 0:2.
Tyrone knew they would be up against it in the second half with the wind in their faces but events early on settled the destiny of the tie. Maria Jordan scored a screamer of a goal within ten minutes from an exquisite pass from Corr. Corr again set up McNulty to add another point. Tyrone were at this stage totally dominant and Rafferty went on one of her trade mark long runs and scored another point. Cavan were unable to take full advantage of the conditions and Tyrone goalkeeper Cara Fitzgerald was imperious as was the whole of the Tyrone backline. Ciara McGready was superb and she frustrated one of Cavan’s best players. Aine Donnelly and Jane Canavan came on in a tactical change that secured the possession for long periods. Faustina Canavan also refreshed the team and Laura Logue and Leanne O’Neill came off the bench. Cavan scored a goal and two points near the end but the tie was over by this stage. Tyrone will now face Carlow in the final after they defeated Kildare II. The final result Tyrone 3:10 Cavan 1:4.
Tyrone Scorers A. Corr 0:4 J Lagan 1:1 M Jordan 1:1 N McNulty 1:1O O’Neill 0:1 E McAliskey 0:1 C Rafferty 0:1
Cavan Scorers S Moore 1:0 J O’Rourke 0:1 T Reilly 0:1 R O’Keefe 0:2
