Dublin 0-10 Tyrone 1-07
Dublin’s unbeaten run continues after they came from behind to force a draw against Tyrone on Saturday evening in Croke Park. Played in very difficult conditions the Dubs came back from five behind to level it when ace marksman Dean Rock converted a long distance free in the 74th minute.
That five point gap opened with nine minutes remaining when Tyrone defender Aidan McCrory found the net just minutes after Rock had missed a penalty and Niall Sludden landed his third point of the game. However the holders, playing with an extra man following the sending off of Tyrone forward Mark Bradley hit the last five points of the contest to maintain their unbeaten run.
Tyrone’s game plan was designed around hard working defence and quick counter attacking football which frustrated the Dubs for long periods. Playing with the wind they led 0-5 to 0-3 at the break but were once again guilty of some poor shot selection.
Peter Harte and man of the match Niall Sludden hit a brace of points each in the first half while Conor Meyler landed his team’s other score.
Two of Dublin’s first-half points came from defenders, Philly McMahon and Cooper but it took until the 62nd minute before one of their forwards scored from play when Ciaran Kilkenny found the target.
By that time Tyrone had moved five clear following McCrory’s goal and another fine score from the outstanding Niall Sludden.
But the Dubs bossed the final minutes and Rock earned a point for his team with his converted free in the 74th minute..
Tyrone: Niall Morgan; P Hampsey, R McNamee, C McCarron; T McCann, A McCrory (1-00), J McMahon; C Cavanagh, D McClure (0-01); C Meyler (0-01), N Sludden (0-03), P Harte (0-02, 0-02f); M Bradley, C McShane, D McCurry.
Subs: R Brennan for McCann black card, R O’Neill for Sludden (blood sub), S Cavanagh for McShane, J Monroe for McMahon, D Mulgrew for Meyler, C McCann for McCurry, P McNulty for McClure.