Tyrone 2-11
Monaghan 0-16
Two goals and a penalty save proved crucial for an off colour Tyrone at Castleblaney as they eventually edged to a one point Nicky Rackard Cup win over Monaghan. The Farney side had led by four points midway through the second half and were playing the better hurling before Damian Casey and Sean Og Grogan hit the net.
Monaghan came back but to within three points only for Conor McElhatton for the second week in a row to make a stunning penalty save to deny Conor Boyle an equalising goal. It set up a tense climax with Tyrone defending in numbers in the closing minutes with just the minimum between the teams.
The hosts, inspired by the accuracy from the placed ball of Donal Meegan who finished the game with 0-10, led by two points at half time although they could easily have been further ahead such were the opportunities that came their way. The Farney side also saw an early goal ruled out for an infringement as they led 0-3 to 0-1.
Four points without reply put Tyrone in control with Justin Kelly, Lorcan Devlin and Ryan McKernan on target from play. Damien Casey added another point from a free but by the break Monaghan had rallied again.
Despite a Justin Kelly point Monaghan began to pull away. Ferghal Rafter scored 0-2 and another Meegan point, his first from play, opened the gap again to four as they pressed at every opportunity leaving plenty for Brendan Begley, Sean Muldoon and Padraig McHugh to deal with.
Tyrone came back strong and 2-1 in the space of four minutes turned the game Tyrone’s way. Dermott Begley’s perfectly weighted free was turned to the net by Casey, excellent skill from the forward and when goalkeeper Patrick Bermingham coughed up possession under pressure Sean Og Grogan drilled the ball to his net before Justin Kelly added a point to put Tyrone in a strong position..
Meegan again pulled one back before that crucial penalty save from the Tyrone number one. As Sean Leonard closed in on goal McElhatton was judged to have fouled him. The resultant penalty from Conor Boyle was well saved by the Tyrone keeper. Brian McGugan and Meegan points did close the gap to one but Lorcan Devlin’s long ranger proved a vital score as Colm Meegan’s final score ensured a nervous ending.
Justin Kelly impressed throughout, Stephen Donnelly worked hard along the half back line while all six forwards had chances.
Tyrone: Damien Casey 1-2, Justin Kelly 0-4, Sean Og Grogan 1-0, Lorcan Devlin 0-2, Conor Grogan, Ryan McKeirnan, Peader Daly 0-1 each
Tyrone: Conor McElhatton, Padraig McHugh, Brendan Begley, Sean Muldoon, Lorcan Devlin, Stephen Donnelly, Tiarnan Morgan, Justin Kelly, Dermott Begley, Conor Grogan, Pierse O’Kelly, Chris Cross, Ryan McKeirnan, Damien Casey, Bryan McGurk. Subs Peader Daly for McKeirnan, Sean Og Grogan for O’Kelly, Ruari Devlin for Muldoon
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