GAA - 14 man Derry edged out by Tyrone

Dr. McKenna Cup Derry 4-06 Tyrone 1-16 Steven Doherty reports from Owenbeg A late Connor McAliskey point confirmed the narrowest of wins for Tyrone in an epic Dr McKenna Cup encounter at Owenbeg. The Oakleafers had led for most of the game but a red card to full forward Emmett McGuckin in the 41st minute opened the door for a Tyrone comeback, who hit eleven of the next fourteen scores to win by a single point. The win all but confirms Micky Harte’s team’s passage to the semi-finals, while Derry, who have scored heavily in the competition so far, can still qualify as best placed runners up. Damian Barton’s side began where they left off against Antrim and led 2-04 to one point after 22 minutes of play. Benny Heron, making his first start of the season slid home Derry’s first goal while Ryan Ball buried a 21st minute penalty past Michael O’Neill. However reigning champions Tyrone fired back strongly to run in just two points adrift , trailing 2-04 to 1-05 at half-time. Patrick Quinn fired home the Tyrone goal. Ryan Bell opened the second half scoring for Derry but Tyrone assumed control of proceedings soon after, particularly after the McGuckin dismissal. Back to back Richie Donnelly points handed the visitors a three point lead by the 52nd minute as the Red Hands took full advantage of 14 man Derry. Derry battled back and goals from Ryan Bell, with a second penalty, and Mark Craig, edged Derry back in front at 4-05 to 1-13. Three successive McAliskey frees regained the lead for Tyrone who showed all their experience to hold on for a single point win over the old enemy. Scorers- Derry: Ryan Bell 2-2, Mark Craig 1-1, Benny Heron 1-0, Mark Lynch 0-2f, Christopher Bradley 0-1 Tyrone: Connor McAliskey 0-6f, Richard Donnelly 0-4, Patrick Quinn 1-0, Darren McCurry 0-1, Jonathan Monroe 0-1, Niall Sludden 0-1, Sean Cavanagh 0-1, Mark Bradley 0-1f, David Mulgrew 0-1 Derry: Thomas Mallon, Ryan Ferris, Dermot McBride, Oisin Duffy, Danny Heavron, Chrissy McKaigue, Mark Craig, Emmet Bradley, Mark Lynch, Ciaran McFaul, Christopher Bradley, Benny Heron, Emmett McGuckin, Ryan Bell, Conor Murphy Subs: Karl McKaigue for O Duffy (44), Enda Lynn for B Heron (45), James Kielt for C Murphy (53), Conor McAtamney for E Bradley (56), Shane Mulgrew for C Bradley (63), Peter Quinn for R Ferris (65) Tyrone: Michael O’Neill, Aidan McCrory, Padraig Hampsey, Jonathan Monroe, Conor Clarke, Justin McMahon, Niall Sludden, Padraig McNulty, Richard Donnelly, David Mulgrew, Peter Harte, Kieran McGeary, Darren McCurry, Connor McAliskey, Patrick Quinn Subs: Mattie Donnelly for J McMahon B/C (18), Cathal McCarron for P Hampsey (H/T), Mark Bradley for C Clarke (HT), Sean Cavanagh for P Quinn (39), Ronan O’Neill for K McGeary (51) Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down) FULL MATCH REPORT, PHOTOS & INTERVIEWS in County Derry Post