Tyrone Under-20s out to maintain fine form in Ulster Semi-Final clash with Derry, says Eoin McElholm

Belfast Telegraph

23-04-2025

Derry and Donegal claimed automatic places in the last four by emerging as group winners while Tyrone have looked accomplished to date having overcome Antrim by 2-24 to 0-10 with several players figuring on the scoresheet as their team bossed the match.
Conor O'Neill, Liam Og Mossey, Lorcan McMurray, Ruairi McCullagh, Noah Grimes and Eoin McElholm were among the players who currently have key roles in taking the Red Hands a step closer to a place in the Final.
Indeed, McElholm in particular has not only been showing fine form with the Tyrone Under-20 side but he has been drafted into the senior squad. He has also come under the gaze of Australian Rules scouts but for the moment he is fiercely committed to Tyrone on every front.
In chalking up their impressive win over Antrim, Tyrone underlined their versatility and scoring power with McElholm very much to the fore.
'The Under-20 title is something that we cherish and we want to try and land it again. There have been some high-scoring games in the competition to date which is probably down to the two-pointers from the new rules,' said McElholm.
'There is no doubt that a few teams are very focused on the Ulster title and the indications are that we could have great Semi-Finals and Final. It is good to see so many players getting a chance to shine. The Under-20 Championship holds a special appeal here in Ulster and it will be very interesting to see which two teams reach the Final.'
Like Tyrone, Derry are also in fine scoring form and in beating Cavan by 1-26 to 2-13 en route to tonight's game they underlined their zest for scores with Johnny McGuckin, Eamon Young and Jude Bryson leading the way.
Cavan looked promising in the first-half with Matthew Smith, Matthew Costello, Lorcan Reilly and Cormac Galligan imposing themselves on the scoreboard but when Derry stepped on the accelerator in the second-half the Breffni outfit were left in their slipstream.
Cavan, though, had an earlier 2-26 to 1-13 win over Down which has helped to keep them in the frame for the title. They certainly showed their scoring touch and fitness in coming out on top in some style in that particular game.
Donegal, too, powered their way into the Play-Off Semi-Finals with Shane Callaghan, Seanan Carr and Conor McCahill all particularly prominent in picking off scores in their team's progress to date.
The trio have underpinned the team's accuracy but with the tempo about to be stepped up scores might just be more difficult to come by.