Tyrone get better of Kerry in Under-20 semi-final
Tyrone remain on course for a third All-Ireland Under-20 Football title in four years, after getting the better of Kerry in a repat of last year's decider.
They'll face either Mayo or Louth in the 2025 final, thanks to a performance built on defensive resilience at Laois Hire O'Moore Park that earned them a six points success.
And up front, their twin strike force, Loughmacrory duo Eoin McElholm and Ruairi McCullagh, delivered again.
In last year's final, the pair shared a 0-12 haul, and this time they accounted for 1-13 of the winners' total.
Tyrone's attack threat was evident from the opening minute, when McElholm broke through to have a crack at goal. denied by Michael Tansley's brilliant save, with McCullagh converting the resultant '45.
And the holders were 0-5 to 0-1 up by the end of the opening quarter, McCullagh adding another couple and McElholm curling over a free.
Kerry's sole score in that period came from midfielder Daniel Kirby, their shot selection letting them down on several occasions.
But they did create a goal chance when Kirby sent Evan Boyle through, but full back Ben Hughes got a hand in to block the shot.
Direct long ball to full forward Tomas Kennedy began to pay dividends, and he won three frees which Paddy Lane converted.
They were now winning the scrap for possession around the middle through Kirby, Eddie Healy and Darragh O'Sullivan, with Killian Dennehy sending over a couple of scores as they picked off five in a row to close the gap to a point.
But the Ulster champions reasserted themselves, McCullagh converting a two-point free, before Conan Devlin sent Noah Grimes in to smash home their second goal on the half-hour.
They led by 2-8 to 0-9 at the interval, and it was in the second half that the Tyrone defence stood tall in the face of waves of attack, with Ben Hughes, Joey Clarke, Callum Daly and substitute Sean Broderick stepping in with vital challenges.
Nevertheless, the Munster champions, who had cruised through their provincial series, kept coming, with Kennedy always a threat up front and Kirby and Healy driving it from midfield.
Substitute Ronan Carroll scored with his first touch, and a couple of Lane frees narrowed the gap.
Ben Murphy broke through to fire in a shot that Red Hand 'keeper Conan McGarvey kept out, and when Kennedy scored from the rebound, just three points separated the sides going into the final seven minutes.
But the champions were able to shut out the Kerry attack in those vital closing stages to turn defence to attack with impressive transition, hitting the last three points through McElholm and McCullagh (2).
Tyrone: C McGarvey; F Nelis, B Hughes, Conor Devlin; C Daly, J Clarke, C Donnelly, Conan Devlin, C O'Neill; C Sheehy, E McElholm (1-04, 0-01f), M Quinn; N Grimes (1-00), R McCullagh (0-09, 4f, 1tpf, 1'45), L Og Mossey.
Subs: S Broderick for Conor Devlin (23), S McDermott (0-01) for Grimes (48), E McDonagh for Sheehy (51), D Donaghy for Mossey (58)
Kerry: M Tansley; A O Beaglaoich, G Evans, M Lynch; L Evans, D O'Connor, B Murphy; E Healy (0-02), D Kirby (0-01); C Collins, E Boyle, K Dennehy (0-03); P Lane (0-06, 5f), T Kennedy (0-01), D O'Sullivan.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
12 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Siya Kolisi blasts backlash over Jaden Hendrikse as ‘banter' after Munster URC drama during shootout
SOUTH AFRICA skipper Siya Kolisi has leapt to the defence of Sharks scrum-half Jaden Hendrikse. It comes in the wake of the controversial Advertisement 2 Siya Kolise rubbished claims that his teammate was faking cramp to delay Jack Crowley's attempt in the URC semi-final 2 Munster players were left devastated aftrer the controversial shootout defeat The two-time World Cup winning captain rubbished online speculation that his teammate was faking cramp to delay Kolisi said: 'We stand with Jaden. He is competitive. There has been banter everywhere in the game — we've seen it from players from all over the world. 'There is always a big thing about it, but it's normal. These things happen and people can say what they like. It's banter between two players, and that's all it is — and that's what Jaden is. 'From our side, he knows we're backing him all the way. He cramped - you can see he was definitely cramping.' Advertisement READ MORE ON RUGBY Kolisi also hinted at double standards, appearing to reference Johnny Sexton's World Cup altercation with He also alluded to similar antics from some Munster players in the past. The flanker went on to further support his teammate. He added: 'I get people saying stuff to me in the game, I don't moan about it. Advertisement Most read in Rugby Union "We just carry on, or you react however you want to react. It is what it is. We are supporting him, we stand with Jaden. 'You've seen the ones that happened during the World Cup, and some guys who were on the field there have also done it to other people. 'Jack Crowley he's coming for you' jokes Peter O'Mahony's wife Jess as son practices his rugby skills 'Let's get over it — it's rugby, it's entertainment. That's what people want.' The URC semi-finals now see Leinster host reigning champions Glasgow and the Bulls vs Sharks in an all South African clash. Advertisement
Extra.ie
3 hours ago
- Extra.ie
Six months on, former Derry Captain Chrissy McKaigue is content with his decision to retire
Hanging up his boots last year former Derry captain Chrissy McKaigue is still getting used to the idea of watching from the side-line but says he is still happy that he decided to call it a day. Making his debut for his county team in 2008 against Monaghan, Chrissy has a list as long as his arm when it comes to achievements with Derry, including a national league medal and two Ulster championships medals and an All-Star in 2022. However, when it comes the star has no time for regrets and concentrates more on the achievements he accomplished along the way. Chrissy McKaigue in action for Derry. Pic: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo Sitting down with Extra as part of the launch of this year's Electric Ireland's Minor Championship Chrissy is still immersed in the sport. 'I'm so, heavily involved with GAA still in the day job. I work in a secondary school, coordinating Gaelic games. Not only just boys, Gaelic games, the girls, camogie and ladies football is a heavy part of my remit also. 'I'm back playing football for Slaughtneil, my club and doing bits and pieces of media too regarding GAA.' When it comes to throwing on the county jersey though he said 'I'm content to walk away from Inter-county and I'm actually enjoying the freedom of not having it and put my energy into other facets of it.' Chrissy McKaigue at the 2025 Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championship launch. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan 'And like, I didn't want to be that way, but it's just the way I was and It is, it's, it's, it wears heavy after a while and it certainly wears weighs heavy after 16 or 17 years, let me tell you.' The former defender who has come up against some of the best of the best over the years such as Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly and Kerry's David Clifford says it is relief to step away from the intensity of the game. 'I don't have be thinking about football or the pressures of inter-county football, because I don't take any pride in saying this, like I find it really difficult to switch off from the game. When the season started in inter-county until it finished, it probably captured too much of my thinking,' he said. Chrissy McKaigue tussling with Kerry's David Clifford. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Admitting that doing this for several years can take its toll on your mind. Looking forward to this year's season, the Derry man has full confidence in his former team believing that Sam is up for grabs from several contenders. 'It's been so long since we've had so many teams jockeying for possession in the race for Sam,' and this year all bets are off to who will be bringing the trophy home.
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Patrick 'Bonner' Maher excited by what can emerge from Tipperary pipeline
Things are stirring in Tipp again. On Saturday last, the Premier accounted for Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Under-20 final in the Cats' own backyard, this a year after a similar success was achieved at minor level against the same opposition in the Marble City. Liam Cahill's senior side are through to the All-Ireland series in the race for Liam MacCarthy and just narrowly missed out on a place in the Munster final. Tipperary had endured a few years of provincial strife, their failure to raise any sort of a gallop leaving their fans deflated. No such deflation this summer as they strive to safely negotiate a few more obstacles in the high-stakes race for the biggest prize of all. One man who has been there and done that is Patrick Maher, known the world over as 'Bonner'. For 16 seasons, he graced the fields at senior level for Tipperary, winning three All-Irelands and a couple of All-Stars. Last autumn, he called time on all that. And now he watches on from afar. Maher has not been present at a Tipp match in this calendar year. It's not that he has lost interest, far from it, as he explained at the launch of the 2025 Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships. "I haven't gone to any of the games, but I'm still engaged," he said. "I think the emotions and nerves would get to me. I'm following it closely, though. It's so different to when you were involved yourself. It was a big chunk of my life; 16 years at the senior level, so there has been a readjustment. "It's like everything else, something will fill the void. I'm playing a bit of golf and I'm still hurling away with the club, doing a bit of coaching. My job is keeping me busy. But it is hard to fill that gap, the moment when you run out in the first round of the championship down in Thurles or getting ready for the Liam MacCarthy in the All-Ireland series." That said, it was a case of no regrets when the Lorrha–Dorrha clubman made the decision to end his inter-county career last October. "I was fairly blunt about it and made my decision," he revealed. "You're seeing younger lads coming and you're thinking it's my time to step away. It was bittersweet for me, I'm physically in good shape, but I knew it was time to walk away." Maher is walking away at a point where he sees real potential for Tipperary. He has played with some of those U20s, an emerging crop that can now boast silverware. The gradual introduction of these young guns, he hopes, will bear fruit for a county that sees its place permanently at the top table, though he adds that some patience will be required. "In the last number of years the sense of disappointment was clearly evident because Tipperary were not reaping the benefits from the conveyor belt of talent coming through. "We've always produced decent minor and U20 sides. I think we're starting to get the balance right now but it takes a bit of time for them young guns to develop. "I remember my own career. My first year on the panel was 2009 and I didn't see any game time in the championship, I was on the sideline. The way the game has gone it takes a little longer for players to step up. A lot more is asked of the body because of the demands of inter-county but Darragh McCarthy and Sam O'Farrell from the U20s have made that step up. "Last year there was definitely green shoots, you could see it in and around the Tipp panel. We are beginning to see more and more of those shoots now. "Look, there is a really good mix at the moment, a really good intertwining in Tipperary. It reminds me of my younger days when the older lads did not like marking me in training. Senior lads now like Noel McGrath, Mikey Breen, Ronan Maher, they can show the young guys the ropes. All credit due to James Woodlock and Brendan Cummins for keeping the pipeline going and getting the boys up to their potential." Next up for Tipperary is an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final against either Kildare or Laois, an ideal route to take going forward, according to Maher. "It's no harm [missing the Munster final], as it will give them a bit of time to keep the head down, he remarked. "They go into the long grass and prepare for the next round, an opportunity to regroup after Munster, which is cutthroat and it is a tough slog to get through Munster. "It's enough time for them to come in under the radar, do what they need to do and prepare for the next game. It's a great opportunity."
