Tyrone Ladies Are Ulster Champions

Tyrone minor ladies claimed the Ulster minor title this afternoon with a tremendous 3-5 to 2-6 win over Donegal at rain lashed Irvinestown. a goal from Cara McCrossan levelled things with six minutes to go and substitute McCrossans delivery set Teri McCusker up for a stunning match winning strike, the young Cappagh forward turned and fired past in with minutes to go. Nicola Donnellys free at the death left two points between the sides at the final whistle.
Donegal opened the scoring with a Grant goal minutes after the start but Tyrone dug deep and hit 1-3 without reply, Nicola Donnellys free  dipped over the keeper while the Fintona forward added two more points with McCusker latching on another.
Donegal minus ace forward Gearldine McLaughlin rallied again and a second Grant goal levelled it with the sides ending the half on level terms through further points from McMahon and McGrory.
Both sides had early second half chances but no scores to show for their efforts until McLaughlin came off the bench ten minutes in, Grant and McLaughlin both pointed to open a gap and after Barrett came off the bench to score Donegals fourth point they had a three point advantage with six minutes to go. Omaghs McCrossan came off the bench and after superb work from Donnelly she finished to the net from a tricky angle, throwing herself across the goals to touch home.
Barrett replied at the other end to leave things tense going into injury time and when McLauglin hit a free over the bar this young Tyrone side looked destined to miss out. Mc Crossan and McCusker had other ideas though. The Omagh Cappagh combination produced the crucial goal that claimed the crown. McCrossan collected a drove the ball into the penalty area where McCusker was quickest to react, she collected and somehow from an inpossible angle netted.
Donegal failed to get through the teak tough Tyrone defence and a free from Donnelly was the icing on the cake.
A brilliant but fully deserved result for Tyrone, they had dominated for long periods against a Donegal side goIng for three in a row and full of experienced players.
All over the park Tyrone were impressive from the start, they were dogged, determined and focused , first to the ball everytime they were not overawed by the occassion or rattled when Donegal were in the lead and looking on course to the hatrick of titles.