Tyrone ladies were far from impressive against Armagh and already the prophets of doom were gathering as the countdown to the Ulster championship approaches.
Well what a difference a week makes, as Tyrone manager John McAleer left Greencastle on Sunday the grin on his face said it all, Tyrone had bounced back and had just outclassed Dublin . Revenge perhaps was on the Tyrone girls minds ala Croke Parks All Ireland humiliation last year and the men’s national league opener a couple of weeks ago, Whatever it was John was happy.
"Aye it was a different Tyrone out there today, we played some good football and the girls never took their foot of the gas, the shooting was better too and you couldn't question the commitment shown by them all out there"
Tyrone had made several changes with Lynette Hughes in a starting berth with positional changes all over the park. Ann Dooher to midfield, Orla O'Neill to the half forwards but it was a youngster who remained at full forward from the Armagh game that grabbed the headlines.
Sarah Connolly is still a minor, yet she tortured Noelle Comyn a vastly experienced full back from the outset and her goal "an unstoppable pile driver" said John, in the first half set Tyrone on their way to a memorable Suzuki National league victory in their only home tie in the campaign.
Tyrone led 1-6 to 0-3 at the break aided by the breeze. Connolly, Cathy Donnelly 0-2 Orla O'Neill, captain Maura Kelly and Siobhan McGarvey all on target with Donnelly also hitting the crossbar minutes before Sarah Connollys thirteenth minute goal, Tyrone were impressive.
The visitors only mustering three points from Nevin 0-2 and Amy McGuinness.
The comeback was on though within minutes of the restart. Mary Nevin with three points within the opening nine minutes of the restart left three between the sides. Two points from the impressive Cathy Donnelly and Briege Dalys point gave Tyrone clear water again though and the last word was left to Connolly. The Errigal Ciaran forward added two further points and almost set up an Elish Gormley goal, the goalkeeper somehow saving from the Carraig Mhor ace.
A good team performance by Tyrone who go to Mayo next Sunday manager John McAleer happy at the end,
"I was sure Dublin would comeback at us in the second half and of course they did, but our girls weathered the storm and answered what ever was asked of them, you could have no complaints after that performance"
TYRONE and scorers Elaine Mallaghan, Arlene McCloskey, Sarah Donnelly, Aideen Loughran, Linda Donnelly, Lynette Hughes, Connie Fox, Maura Kelly 0-1, Ann Dooher, Orla O'Neill 0-1, Cathy Donnelly 0-4, Brige Daly 0-1, Gemma Begley, Sarah Connolly 1-3, Siobhan McGarvey,0-1, Subs Elish Gormley For O'Neill
DUBLIN and scorersSuzie Hughes, Louise Kidd, Noelle Comyn, Maria Kavanagh, Jo O'Sullivan, Niamh McEvoy, Siobhan McGrath, Fiona Corcoran, Denise Masterson, Amy McGuinness 0-1 Emma Dunne, Niamh Hurley, Cathy Roache, Sinead Ahern, Mary Nevin 0-6
In the Ulster championship Tyrone have been drawn in the semi-finals of the senior championship in July away from home against either Armagh or Donegal in their first leg.
The game goes ahead on July 16th with the home second leg pencilled in for the following week. The county minors who lost to Dublin in a challenge game on Sunday albeit without several of their regulars will open the Ulster minor campaign home to Antrim on April 8th a place in the semi-final up for grabs for the Ciaran Woods, Michaella O'Neill led Tyrone side.
