LADIES FOOTBALL ULSTER MINOR FINAL PREVIEW
PADDY HUNTER

Down, in their first Ulster minor final will face Tyrone next Tuesday, for the Mourne girls who beat Cavan last weekend its been quite an achievement but the stark reality is they are coming up against a Tyrone side thirsty for championship honours again, they last got their hands on the minor crown some seven years ago and that says manager Martina Dillon is too long for a county that boasts so much talent”

“Its been far too long, we need to be winning at Ulster level or all the good work that is being done within Tyrone will be wasted, there’s no doubt that this side are capable and they are hungry for success”

When the Aodh Ruadh coach took charge of this current panel there was still the bulk of the 2006 squad available, Ciaran Woods and Michaela O’Neill had seen their side succumb to Donegal in last years semi-final and Dillon was quick to set out her stall and plan for the year. So far it’s on course with the ghost of that loss to Donegal well and truly wiped clear of the Tyrone mindset, last week in unrelenting fashion. That semi-final victory, by 23 points was sweet for the Dungannon official,

“We started a bit nervously but still led by three points after a couple of minutes, it played on some of the girls minds from last year but once we got going there was no stopping us, it was a good display and we are on course to the final”

A good display may be a bit coy, Tyrone powered through Donegal as if they were not there and this Donegal side like the Monaghan side the previous week were rated as “fancied sides”, Tyrone have power and passion by the bucket full and Down will have to extra special if they are to see this Tyrone side off, the manager though is not caught up in the hype, for her and her assistant  Rory McCann its one game at a time, that’s the way it has been since they opened this years campaign against Antrim in Belfast.

“For us all its been a case of one game at a time alright, we are focused on our next opponents and its unwise to look further than that in any competition”

“There has been some baggage dumped from the Tyrone minds this year and that’s not a bad thing either, that Donegal loss in 2006 and for some , not all this minor side, an Under 16 Ulster final loss to Monaghan. Those things are gone now”

Tyrone have put in some stunning displays this term to reach Tuesdays final.

A 9-30 to 2-2 scoreline told its own story against Antrim, and it could have been a lot worse for the Saffrons as Tyrone forwards took their feet of the gas , punching over five points that would probably have been goals. A settled Tyrone then found Monaghan to be, as always tough nuts to crack.

At Killeshill the visitors led by six points at the break, Tyrone though came back in some style, a second half five minute spell produced 2-1 and Tyrone outscored Monaghan 2-11 to 0-3 in the second period, the nearest thing admitted Dillon to “the perfect display” with the defence assured and the forwards on fire, all linked by two great midfielders.

On to Donegal next and despite that nervous couple of minutes Tyrone were soon to get there house in order and stunned the home support with another powerhouse display bringing their scoring totals to new heights, in the three Ulster championship ties Tyrone have scored 14-66 with a mean Tyrone defence only conceding 2-23, 0-14 of that tally against Monaghan. Sinead McVeighs goalkeeping never under question in the 3 encounters so far.

What makes the scoring tally more impressive is the quality of the scores, only 1-3 has been from the dead ball, leaving a stunning 13-63 from play, now that’s quite a return for any side.

Clodagh Poyntz tops the Tyrone scoring chart with 4-13 while Sarah Connolly whose game has developed this year has still hit 1-16 despite being more a play maker than score getter, Sarah Louise McLaughlin, Ashling O Kane, Claire scullion and midfielder Emma Conlon has also been amongst the scores in this campaign that has seen nine players register scores. The forwards have all been sharp and that pace has caused no end of difficulties for their opponents.

Its not all about scoring though the defence have been impressive too, Laura McGillion has had an outstanding campaign at full back, Christiane Hunter steady at corner back, Roisin Rafferty a quality half back, Rachel Molly and Stephanie Patterson have been at number five with Britta Quinn at number 2 while its been captain Niamh Woods who has led by example, a superb athlete at centre back her lung busting runs have been a facet of this sides advance to the final.

Midfielders Shannon Quinn and Emma Conlon have a great reading of the game and can play a bit too, they have worked tirelessly in the campaign. The management though have been quick to point out that this has been a team and squad effort,

“ I would have no hesitation in putting any of the subs on, they are a great bunch, a special bunch of girls “ admitted Martina who reports no major injury worries ahead of Tuesdays final.

The build up is well and truly on and Tyrone have certainly belief in their own ability, they will not and indeed cant afford to underestimate Down, if they turn in anything like the displays in the earlier rounds though come Tuesday night they will be provincial champions.

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