Tyrone boss Malachy O'Rourke fears Michael McKernan could miss rest of season after shoulder injury in Cavan win
TYRONE boss Malachy O'Rourke fears that Michael McKernan may have suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in yesterday's big win over Cavan.
The triumph earned
Advertisement
2
aaMichael McKernan of Tyrone leaves the pitch with a shoulder injury
2
Tyrone manager Malachy O'Rourke was concerned after his player's injury in the win over Cavan
But McKernan came off in the third minute after a collision at Brewster Park.
Tyrone absorbed the early blow and some early Cavan pressure to top their group ahead of Donegal on the head-to-head rule.
And their prize involves avoiding a brutal quarter-final preliminary stage which takes place this weekend.
They also have an extra week to recover before the last eight.
And O'Rourke said: 'It is important because the two-week rest is massive.
Advertisement
read more on gaa
'It depends on who you get but all the teams left in it now are going to be really strong.
'The extra week gives us a chance to get bodies recovered and we have a lot to work on as well.
'We're just delighted with the win because it was always going to be a tricky game for us.
'We took a grip around the middle and we were very efficient up front.
Advertisement
Most read in GAA Football
'Our scoring efficiency was really high at half-time.'
On McKernan's injury, O'Rourke confirmed: 'I think it's the shoulder or AC joint.
GAA fans 'loved seeing and hearing' the late Micheal O Muircheartaigh as he features in RTE documentary Hell for Leather
'He is away to hospital and we will find out later on the extent of it.
'It would be a serious blow to us because he has been playing really well.
Advertisement
'But hopefully it won't be as bad as we think it might be.'
Tyrone did not play as well as in their opening group game win over Donegal.
But they were vastly improved from their poor display against Mayo a fortnight ago.
Eleven different players got on the scoresheet with Darren McCurry the star turn in attack landing 0-9.
Brian Kennedy and Pádraig Hampsey's return strengthened Tyrone.
But Cavan will regret all the wides and shots that dropped short in the first half.
Advertisement
Tyrone led 0-17 to 0-8 at the break and hit seven unanswered points in a row including a couple of two pointers, first from Niall Morgan's free before Peter Harte raised another orange flag to establish a seven-point lead.
Rory Brennan and Cavan full-forward Paddy Lynch — who finished with nine points of his own — traded two pointers.
But it was the speed and variety of the Red Hand attack that was the difference.
Advertisement
Raymond Galligan's side needed a spark in the second half and got it through another Lynch two pointer.
McCurry and Cormac O'Reilly traded scores before Tyrone hit six unanswered scores to lead 0-24 to 0-12 with 20 minutes left to play.
The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Omagh's Conor Meyler, who returned to play for Tyrone for the first time in almost two years after a horrific run with injury.
Tyrone know the hard work starts now once they hit Croke Park in a fortnight.
Advertisement
And while this display will not have any potential opponents quaking with fear, they showed enough in patches to suggest they could still make things interesting down the stretch.
Tyrone 0-31
Cavan 0-18
TYRONE: N Morgan 0-2, 1tpf; C Quinn, P Hampsey, N Devlin 0-1; M McKernan, R Brennan 0-3, 1tp, P Teague; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; S O'Donnell 0-1, K McGeary 0-2, C Daly 0-1, D McCurry 0-9, 3f, 1tpf, M Donnelly 0-4, D Canavan 0-5, 1f. Subs: P Harte 0-2, 1tp for McKernan 3 mins; A Clarke for Devlin 29; E McElholm 0-1 for Donnelly 47; C Meyler for McGeary 54; B McDonnell for Kilpatrick 66.
CAVAN: L Brady; N Carolan, K Brady, C Reilly; B O'Connell, C Madden, P Faulkner; O Kiernan, E Crowe; G Smith, D McVeety, C Brady; C O'Reilly 0-4, P Lynch 0-9, 3f, 2tpf, 1 '45', O Brady 0-1. Subs: S McEvoy 0-1 for K Brady 31 mins; R O'Neill 0-2, 1tp for Smith 49; R Curran 0-1 for Kiernan 53; K Clarke for C Brady 60; L Fortune for Reilly 65.
REFEREE: P Neilan (Roscommon
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
6 hours ago
- The 42
'It would only happen because it's us' - McGuinness hits out at 'unfair' Roscommon venue choice
DONEGAL MANAGER JIM McGuinness was fiercely critical of the decision to stage his side's dramatic victory over Mayo at Dr. Hyde Park in Roscommon, claiming it was unfair and would only be inflicted on his team. Ciaran Moore's dramatic late point earned a one-point win for Donegal, which secures for them second place in the group and a spot in next weekend's preliminary All-Ireland quarter final. The result eliminated Mayo from the championship. With the final round of games in the group phase fixed for neutral venue, McGuinness rounded on the CCCC for their selection of Roscommon as that neutral venue. The Donegal boss said the decision was unfair, saying his side had to travel to Athlone to find accommodation. McGuinness claimed that venues in Cavan and Monaghan were available, but not selected, and then went on to claim that the decision would not have been made for any other team involved. Advertisement 'We don't believe we should have been here', McGuinness told reporters after the game. 'We think it was very unfair to bring us here, it was the equivalent of bringing Mayo to Omagh. 'We also put in an email to the CCCC to say we couldn't get a hotel in the area. We had to stay in Athlone, we had to go beyond the venue. It was the equivalent of Mayo playing us in Omagh and staying in Derry. I don't believe that would happen, I believe it would only happen to us. It would only happen because it's us. 'We made a case, and we made a case early, but it was on deaf ears. I don't like the fact our supporters are always being taken advantage of. We have had seven games to this point, nobody has played more games than us, yet we had the longest trek. 'Breffni [Park, Cavan] was an option, they will say it wasn't. I know Clones was offered but it was rescinded. All you're looking for is fairness.' Asked why he believes Donegal have been uniquely treated in this regard, McGuinness replied, 'That's probably a long conversation we would need to have, but we knew a month ago it would be here, we knew we couldn't get accommodation and we knew it would be difficult for supporters. 'We put that case forward and that didn't happen. It happens for all the other teams, why not us? Everyone else had a fair shake this week. 'We are 38 minutes from Mayo's training ground. We are three and a half hours from Inishowen. It's not fair and if I don't say it, who is going to say it?'
The 42
7 hours ago
- The 42
Dublin strike eight goals to book quarter-final place, Kerry and Galway also progress
HANNAH TYRRELL AND Kate Sullivan both grabbed three goals apiece at Clann Mhuire GFC on Sunday as Dublin booked their spot in the TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship quarter-finals with an emphatic Group 4 victory over Leitrim. On a day when her Na Fianna club-mate Eilish O'Dowd was coming face-to-face with her sister Laura – as well as their cousin Dearbhaile Beirne, a star of domestic women's soccer with Peamount United – Tyrrell helped herself to an outstanding tally of 3-7 for the Jackies. The game was due to take place on Saturday before the original venue of Parnell Park was deemed unplayable. After Sullivan completed an opening period hat-trick with goals in the 27th and 29th minutes, Niamh Hetherton also rattled the net to guide Dublin towards an unassailable 4-12 to 0-4 interval cushion. Although Leitrim were playing with the aid of a breeze on the resumption, their Leinster rivals maintained a ruthless streak in front of the posts in the second half. Holders Kerry are safely through to the quarter-finals. the Kingdom got the better of Cork at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday to book their place in the last eight. 2024 runners-up Galway are safely through, and also as table-toppers, following their victory over Donegal in Lifford. In Group 3, Meath got the better of Kildare to also make it through. Kerry, despite a second minute goal from Niamh Ní Chonchúir, had to come from behind to achieve victory, with goals from Aine O'Sullivan and Katie Quirke helping Cork lead by 2-6 to 1-1 having played with the wind. Kerry, though, took over after the restart and outscored their neighbours by 4-4 to 0-3 after the restart, with Siofra O'Shea (two), Danielle O'Leary and Rachel Dwyer getting the goals as they ran out 5-7 to 2-9 winners. Kerry are now certain of a home quarter final but Cork must travel to Mayo next weekend to keep their season alive. Galway also booked a home quarter-final thanks to a 1-11 to 1-2 win over Donegal in Lifford. They laid the foundation for victory in the opening half when a goal from Ailbhe Davoren helped them to a 1-2 to 0-0 interval lead, before pushing the advantage out to nine points after the restart. Donegal, who travel to Tipperary next week to determine the group runners-up, finished strongly. Susanne White pointed a free before assisting in their goal which was finished to the net by Mia Bennett. Advertisement Meath also advanced to the last eight when they edged out Kildare by 0-7 to 0-4 at Manguard Park in another game impacted by the bad weather. The sides were level at 0-2 apiece at the break before Meath got on top with Emma Duggan taking her haul to 0-5 to book their quarter-final spot, with Kildare heading to Armagh next weekend with a quarter-final spot on the line. Meanwhile, the eight quarter-finalists in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship have been confirmed, with a draw to take place on Monday morning to confirm the last eight pairing. Table-toppers Laois are joined in the knockout phase from Group 1 by Fermanagh, who defeated Roscommon by 4-10 to 3-9. Two goals from Eimear Smyth and one apiece from Molly McGloin and Bronagh Smyth paved the way for last year's All-Ireland junior champions who led by 4-2 to 1-5 at the interval. Tyrone defeated Westmeath by 6-11 to 0-7 to top Group 2, with Westmeath also advancing in second place. Last year's All-Ireland IFC finalists Tyrone led by 2-4 to 0-4 at the break thanks to goals from Caitlin Campbell and Aoibhinn McHugh, while a brace of penalties from Sorcha Gormley and further goals from Niamh O'Neill and Aoife Horisk wrapped up a big win. In Group 3, Wicklow edged out Monaghan by 1-11 to 1-10 but dropping out on score difference as three teams finished level on three points. Cavan top the group with Monaghan also going through and Cavan dropping out despite a win where Lucy Dunne's goal was decisive after Monaghan had an early goal from Éabha Sherry. In Group 4, Clare defeated Wexford by 1-9 to 0-10, with Clare going through in first place and Wexford as runners-up. Lauren's Conway early goal was decisive for a Clare side who led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break. In the ll-Ireland Junior Championship at the weekend, there were victories for Limerick and Louth in Group A, while in Group B there were victories for Antrim and Longford. ***** Results: All-Ireland Senior Championship Group 1: Galway 1-11 Donegal 1-2 Group 2: Kerry 5-7 Cork 2-9 Group 3: Meath 0-7 Kildare 0-4 Group 4: Dublin 8-18 Leitrim 0-7 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Group 1: Fermanagh 4-10 Roscommon 3-9 Group 2: Tyrone 0-11 Westmeath 0-7 Group 3: Wicklow 1-11 Monaghan 1-10 Group 4: Clare 1-9 Wexford 0-10 All-Ireland Junior Championship Group A: Limerick 8-12 Derry 1-8 Group A: Louth 4-20 Kilkenny 1-1 Group A: Antrim 3-18 London 0-0 Group B: Longford 2-6 Carlow 1-4 *****
The 42
7 hours ago
- The 42
The state of play before the All-Ireland SFC and Tailteann Cup draws tomorrow
THE DRAWS WILL take place tomorrow morning for the All-Ireland SFC preliminary quarter-finals and the Tailteann Cup semi-finals. In the Sam Maguire competition, the four second-placed sides from the group stage (Donegal, Kerry, Down, Dublin) will be drawn at home to the third-placed teams (Cavan, Cork, Louth, Galway). The draw is subject firstly to the avoidance of repeat provincial final pairings, and where possible, repeat pairings from the group stage. The semi-final draw for the Tailteann Cup will also be subject to the avoidance of repeat pairings from the championship. Fermanagh, Kildare, Wicklow, and Limerick are the last four teams involved. Advertisement The draw will be held on RTÉ Radio 1 as part of Morning Ireland after the news at 8.30am. The draws will be presided over by GAA's CCCC Chairperson Brian Carroll and Feargal McGill, GAA Director Player, Club and Games Administration. Fixture details will be finalised by the CCCC later that day, and the games will take place over the weekend of 21-22 June. ***** All-Ireland SFC Preliminary quarter-final draw Second-placed teams: Donegal Kerry Down Dublin Third-placed teams: Cavan Cork Louth Galway Quarter-finalists: Tyrone Meath Monaghan Armagh ***** Tailteann Cup semi-final draw: Fermanagh Kildare Wicklow Limerick *****
