Ulster SFC: determined Red Hands survive Oak Leaf scare
May 12, 2019
Derry's Padraig Cassidy is tackled by Richard Donnelly of Tyrone
Derry gave Tyrone the fright of their lives in Omagh this evening but the Red Hands refused to wilt and won by six points, 1-19 to 1-13.
A crowd of 10,116 could scarcely believe their eyes when the Division Four winners surged ahead nine minutes from time, Shane McGuigan’s goal followed quickly by points from Conor McAtamney and Christopher Bradley – 1-12 to 0-14.
The Anglo-Celt Cup favourites were on the verge of a devastating defeat to their neighbours but Darren McCurry blasted to the Derry net and two Cathal McShane points either side of one from Connor McAliskey saw Mickey Harte’s men over the line.
Bradley pulled one back but Michael McKernan bombed forward to register and Peter Harte’s injury-time free closed the scoring as the relieved Red Hands booked a quarter-final meeting with Antrim.
Seeking a third Ulster title in four years, the hosts led by 0-10 to 0-7 at the break. Frees from Ryan Bell and McGuigan (two) helped Damian McErlain’s charges get back within two, 0-12 to 0-10, and Harte pointed for the winners before McGuigan’s 55th-minute major blew the game wide open.
But Tyrone outscored their opponents by 1-5 to 0-1 in the closing eight minutes to stay on course, McShane hoisting over seven points for the home team.
Tyrone - N Morgan; P Hampsey (0-1), R McNamee, M McKernan (0-1); M Cassidy (0-2), B McDonnell, T McCann; R Donnelly (0-2), B Kennedy; P Harte (0-3f), N Sludden, F Burns (0-1); M Donnelly, C McShane (0-7, 2f), H P McGeary (0-1). Subs: C Cavanagh for B Kennedy, D McCurry (1-0) for N Sludden, K Coney for C Cavanagh, R Brennan for H P McGeary, C McAliskey (0-1) for R Donnelly, L Rafferty for M McKernan.
Derry - T Mallon; S Quinn, B Rogers, K McKaigue; P McNeill, C McKaigue, N Keenan; P Cassidy, C McAtamney (0-1); L McGoldrick, E Lynn, C McFaul (0-1); S McGuigan (1-6, 0-5f), R Bell (0-3f), J Rocks. Subs: E Bradley for S Quinn, C Bradley (0-2, 1f) for R Bell, C Doherty for J Rocks, R Mooney for E Lynn, P Coney for N Keenan, E Concannon for L McGoldrick.
Referee - P Neilan.
Tweet
