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RTÉ News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
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.
Belfast Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Tyrone supremo Paul Devlin staying cool as Red Hands plot U20 Ulster Championship glory over Donegal
Even though the Loughmacrory clubman was able to whip over a superbly taken point that kept his side in contention, his influence was not quite sufficient to quell Armagh's drive for a place in the Final. Frustration may have been the feeling of McElholm and his Red Hand colleagues in the immediate aftermath of the game, but there may be a ration of compensation on the table on Wednesday night when Tyrone square up to Donegal in the Ulster Under-20 Championship Final at Owenbeg (7.30pm). Given the form that Paul Devlin's Tyrone side have been showing of late, it is no great surprise to see them in the decider again. And they will certainly not be touching their forelocks to a Donegal side that will more than likely bring a competitive edge to the north Derry venue. Indeed, Tyrone's hunger for success, be that at schools', club or county level, has been such of late that their teams have become accustomed to taking delivery of silverware. But manager Devlin is certainly taking nothing for granted in terms of Wednesday night's showdown. 'When you look at it, Donegal have been making progress at schools' and club level and we know that we are in for a tight game. Donegal will certainly be playing on the front foot on this occasion to make a big point,' insists Devlin. The north west side can parade a battery of talent, with players such as Shane Gallagher, Seanen Carr, Conor McCahill, Mark McDevitt and Kevin Muldoon ready to set the tone for their team's performance. But Tyrone are likely to embrace this particular challenge with considerable enthusiasm. If McElholm tends to set a fine example, Ben Hughes, Calum Daly, and Fiachra Nelis are among those who are prepared to take a leaf out of his book. Lob in the work-rate and firepower of players such as Conal Sheehy, Matthew Quinn and Conal Devlin and it's not hard to understand why Tyrone are fired up for the battle. Skipper Joey Clarke will look for his side to make a big impact should they hit the ground running, while his Donegal counterpart Sean Martin invariably leads by splendid example and plays a big part in sustaining his side's momentum. Donegal, indeed, have fired out more than one message of defiance to date, but their 4-19 to 2-07 victory over Cavan thundered out a defiant warning in relation to their aspirations. Tyrone, though, overcame a cohesive Armagh side and also left Derry floundering in their slipstream which would suggest that, should they hit the ground running on Wednesday night, it could prove difficult to deflect from their mission. Yet with both teams committed to an attacking policy, there is every indication that the match could have much to offer, particularly as there is a significant trophy on offer for the winners. It will be all systems go with nothing spared by either side.
