TYRONE  5-15

LAOIS  1-10

Tyrone  have retained their division one status in the Tesco Homegrown National league in emphatic fashion at Clanabogan Park  A rampant Tyrone that had failed to produce any points in the campaign ahead of this final league game were always too strong for Laois team who now find themselves in division two.  Tyrone who had struggled to get scores on occasions this season picked the perfect day to cut loose with ten different scorers hitting 5-15, 5-14 of that from play.

The result, while securing top flight status also was the perfect fillip ahead of the start of the Ulster championship in June, plenty of positives for Tony McVeigh and Tiffy Quinn to ponder ahead of that clash with Cavan.

Laois arrived half an hour late at the Omagh venue but the lateness of their arrival failed to dampen their spirit and they hit three early points from Noirin Kirwan ,Tyrone quickly found their stride and with the defence settled into their rhythm that was as good as it got for the visitors in that first half as Tyrone piled on the pressure and the scores. Cathy Donnelly and youngster Emma Smyth hit points in replay for Tyrone and Smyth teed up Grainne Rafferty for the opening goal, the Dromore players pass turned home on seven minutes. Laois to their credit tried in vain to get on the scoresheet, they hit some eight wide's in the half but found a strong defence hard to break down.

Smyth was again the provider when she sent Cathy Donnelly through on the right after good work from Neamh Woods, the veteran "Macartans" forward drilled the ball to the net and Tyrone were not to be caught. Rafferty and Joiline Donnelly added points before goal number three and that was a real team goal. Christiane Hunter cleared from the back, the pass perfect for Woods who sent Rafferty through, while her shot was palmed down by Laois keeper Caoimhe Egan it fell to the returning from injury Niamh O'Neill who slotted the ball home. Smyth 0-2, Begley, Joline Donnelly and Shannon Quinn all hit points as Tyrone led by 15 points at the break.

It was business as usual into the second period for Tyrone as Emma Smyth once again hit a long range point, she added another moments later with Cathy Donnelly also finding the target from distance as Laois added two points from Kirwan and Laura Marie Maher. Nine minutes in and goal number four, this time it was Woods and Quinn the providers for Joline Donnelly, her nimble feet easing her in to find the net.

Tyrone then proceeded to empty the bench in the final quarter, seven changes as several fringe players got a run out in the sun, It may have unsteadied the ship slightly but Gemma Begley hit goal number five and while Laois finished with a bit of a flourish, 0-3 from Martina Dunne and a Charlotte Delaney goal Tyrone were easing home with further points from the hard working Tori McLaughlin and substitutes Nicola Donnelly and Mairead Conwell.

All too easy for Tyrone in the end, they turned in a great free flowing performance, Hunter, Mulgrew and Woods super at the back, great running from Mc Shane and Mulgrew, Begley and Quinn assured at midfield and a constant threat up front from all six forwards, it was certainly a much awaited  and deserved win in front of a big crowd.

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