INCISIVE TYRONE DO IT AGAIN

Allianz NFL Division 2 – Tyrone 2-15 Derry 0-12

INCISIVE TYRONE DO IT AGAIN

Against Galway a three point defeat flattered Derry and last weekend Tyrone’s powerful, incisive running game had Damian Barton’s team in all sorts of trouble.  But for some wayward shooting the Red Hands could have won this game by much more.

Niall Morgan directed operations with his quick kickouts, giving Tyrone a perfect platform and attacked Derry at pace. 

In the modern game this tactic is proving very effective, providing you have the tools to do so.  Tyrone certainly had athleticism in abundance and will give teams plenty to think about.

At the other end Tyrone pressed right up on the Derry kickout targets around the middle of the field, forcing Eoin McNicholl to either go long or give the simple short to the full back line and Tyrone applied the pressure instantly.

Richard Donnelly picked up where he left off in the Owenbeg encounter with 0-4 from play and another man of the match performance and Ronan O’Neill was also on song from placed balls.

Two early wins put Derry in position for promotion but it was always going to be the Galway and Tyrone games that would define the direction of this league.

Second half goals from Sean Cavanagh and Aidan McCrory rubberstamped Mickey Harte’s side as promotion favourites and left Derry with three games remaining to get their championship preparations back on track.

TEAM SELECTION – Mattie Donnelly was picked up by Chrissy McKaigue straight from the throw in and his Slaughtneil clubmate Brendan Rogers was assigned to Sean Cavanagh.  Karl McKaigue shackled Conor McAliskey and Oisin Duffy was on Ronan O’Neill.

At the other end Tyrone didn’t tinker with their permutations at all, with their defenders picking up their direct opponents as per programme.  Very often Derry only had Emmett McGuckin in the attacking third and was isolated.

As expected Colm Cavanagh dropped as a sweeper, giving Tyrone that stability at the back, with Niall Holly carrying out the same role for Derry.  The difference was the Moy man attacked on an intermittent basis, keeping Derry honest.

Here are the key moments from the game.

6mins – A quick kick out from Niall Morgan found Peter Harte and he kicked off an attack resulting in a point from Richard Donnelly.  This move set the tone for what followed over the course of the game. Tyrone 0-2 Derry 0-1.

12mins – James Kielt’s ‘45’ dropped short to Ryan Bell who is fouled close to goal and Bell tapped over as Derry turned the game in their favour. Tyrone 0-2 Derry 0-4.

20mins – After a Ronan O’Neill free Tyrone turned over the Derry kickout and Sean Cavanagh produced a massive score, their second inside a minute as Tyrone regained the lead. Tyrone 0-5 Derry 0-4.

25mins – Ronan O’Neill from a free put Tyrone three ahead and left Derry starting to chase the game.  The Oakleafers didn’t commit any more men to the attack so even at this early stage the writing was on the wall for them. Tyrone 0-7 Derry 0-4.

30mins – Barry Tierney had his goal chance well saved by Eoin McNicholl and Derry broke forward for James Kielt to kick a long-range point.  This had the potential to be a game changer but Derry didn’t kick on. Tyrone 0-7 Derry 0-6.

35mins – Kieran McGeary picked up a pass from Mattie Donnelly and scored his second point to put Tyrone four points clear at half time. Tyrone 0-10 Derry 0-6.

HALF TIME – Mickey Harte introduced Conor Meyler at half time, with Richard Donnelly switching to midfield.  Centre back Rory Brennan made way with Colm Cavanagh already there providing the defensive cover.

36mins – Within 46 seconds of the throw in Richard Donnelly was on the end of a move that resulted in his third point and Tyrone were five points clear.  Tyrone 0-11 Derry 0-6

47mins – A point from substitute Christopher Bradley with his first touch reduced the gap to three points and gave Derry a chance to get back into the game.  Tyrone 0-12 Derry 0-9

49mins – GOAL Richard Donnelly won possession from the kick out and played a simple pass to Ronan O’Neill.  Tiernan McCann came snoring past, took possession and ran at the Derry defence before offloading to Sean Cavanagh for a brilliant finish.  Tyrone 1-13 Derry 0-9

62mins – GOAL CHANCE Oisin Duffy found himself in an attacking position but as Tyrone retreated Emmett McGuckin got the ball in the penalty area but he was well surrounded.  The Magherafelt squeezed off his shot but it went over the bar.  It was a half chance really.  Tyrone 1-15 Derry 0-12

73mins – GOAL With the McKaigue brothers both off the pitch at this stage there was more room for Tyrone to operate in.  The game was over as a contest but it didn’t stop Aidan McCrory cutting right through on goal and followed in Cavanagh’s footsteps with a fantastic finish.   Tyrone 2-15 Derry 0-12

Derry: Eoin McNicholl, Oisin Duffy, Chrissy McKaigue (0-1), Karl McKaigue, Gareth McKinless, Brendan Rogers, Mark Craig, Niall Holly, Emmett Bradley (0-1), Daniel Heavron (0-1), Ciaran McFaul (0-1), Sean Leo McGoldrick, Ryan Bell (0-3, 0-2 frees), Emmett McGuckin, James Kielt (0-1).

Subs: Ryan Ferris for M Craig (30), Christopher Bradley (0-2, 0-1 free) for R Bell (44), Conor McAtamney for E Bradley (52), Cailean O’Boyle for J Kielt, (54), Shane Heavron for K McKaigue (BC - 60), Benny Heron for E McGuckin (66).

Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Aidan McCrory (1-0), Ronan McNamee, Cathal McCarron, Barry Tierney, Rory Brennan, Tiernan McCann, Colm Cavanagh, Mattie Donnelly, Kieran McGeary (0-2), Peter Harte (0-1), Richie Donnelly (0-4), Conor McAliskey, Sean Cavanagh (1-1), Ronan O’Neill (0-6, 0-5 frees).

Subs: Conor Meyler (0-1) for R Brennan (HT); Jonathan Monroe for Kieran McGeary (47), Mark Bradley for Barry Tierney (47), Darren McCurry for C McAliskey (62), Justin McMahon for R McNamee (66).

Attendance: 5665

Referee: David Coldrick (Meath)

MATCH STATS

	Derry	Tyrone
SCORES	0-12	2-15
SCORES FROM PLAY	0-10	2-10
WIDES/HIT POST	7	13
DROPPED SHORT	3	3
MISSED GOALS	0	1
TOTAL MISSED	0-10	1-16
FREES WON INSIDE 45m	4	4
OWN KICKOUTS WON (CLEAN)	4	2
OWN KICKOUTS WON (BREAKS)	2	2
OWN KICKOUTS WON (SHORT)	12	9
OWN KICKOUTS LOST	11	4
% OWN KICKOUTS WON	62%	76%