ALL IRELAND MINOR QUARTER FINAL

ALL IRELAND MINOR QUARTER FINAL

The Tyrone minors face a very difficult challenge this Sunday. Its off to Bannagher in County Offaly and a meeting with beaten Munster finalists Kerry. A place in the all Ireland minor championship semi-final is up for grabs and its well within Tyrones grasp to reach the last four, but injuries are an issue for Martina Dillons side. Dillon and Rory Quinn took Tyrone to back to back Ulster titles and barring several key performers from last year, Woods, Hunter , Connolly and McLaughlin its virtually the same squad.

Last year though it was Dublin who dismantled the Tyrone drive through the all Ireland series, Tyrone have learn’t from that loss though admits Dillon,

“ We certainly have, things went wrong last year that we just couldn’t cope with on the day, We had been so dominant in Ulster we probably had less of an egde about us, that’s not the case this year, we have been forced to work harder in the provincial series to retain the title and that should stand us in good stead.”

Tyrone beat Monaghan in one of the best ladies games in many years last month to clinch the back to back crown, since then though injuries have reared its ugly hand. Several key players have been forced out of action and the Tyrone management have pulled in some new faces,

“ Yes, injuries are a problem at the moment, three broken arms in the one season is unheard of, we have had to bring in some new girls to fill the gaps, theres no big fuss over it, we have to get on with the build up and I feel the girls are well up for the challenge”

Clodagh Poyntz and Shannon Quinn have been key performers in the Ulster championship and both players have made their mark with the senior side too in there campaign. Quinn has been indeed an influential skipper and thankfully has shrugged of injury to be back amongst the preparations.

It is Kerry though up next, a step up perhaps,

“Yes they are definatly going to be a different prospect, okay they were beaten by Cork again but Kerry are running them close now too, they will be good, well prepared and up for the battle, that said we are well prepared the girls know what they are about and we are confident that we can progress.

Throw in time on Sunday is 3pm