Tyrone News

This Saturday will be a red letter day for the gaels of Augher as they host a crunch Tesco Homegrown ladies national football league clash between Tyrone and Donegal as well as remember the late Sean McElroy.

 
The league tie between Tyrone and Donegal is yet another big task for Mickey Rea’s side who are desperate for points as they try and stave off relegation. Last weekend Dublin proved too strong for Tyrone running out convincing winners 3-7 to 0-6. Their opponents on Easter Saturday are fresh from a good performance and it looks like they will be  in the top flight next term after a 2-11 to 2-8 win over Meath who, barring a miracle will be making the drop. Geraldine McLaughlin returned to fine form again too for the visitors as she hit 1-9. With McLaughlin back to form Donegal are just hitting the ground at the right time as they continue their recovery from their slow start to the season.

 

There’s no getting away from the stark facts though that overall this has been a season of transition for Tyrone under the new management team. Several well known names have moved on and new faces are trying to force themselves into team selections as the Ulster championship draws ever closer. Armagh will be quite a handful for Rea’s side this Summer, they are through to the division three league semi-finals but before talk turns to the Ulster series survival is the only show in town.
Manager, Mickey Rea said “We have been keen to try things out, we have reshuffled the line outs, we have given players a chance to play out of their comfort zones, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The league is not our priority, it would have been nice to be vying for the knockout stages and I certainly didn’t want to be battling relegation, but we find ourselves in this position now and have to get ourselves out of trouble with two games to go, that we hope will begin at the weekend against Donegal”

 

Tyrone have recorded one victory so far in the campaign, that against Meath at Healy Park, they turned in a good performance that day and have played well in the main, the work rate has been good but on occassions Tyrone have failed to capatalise on scoring chances, they could have beaten Cork and Mayo had they taken all that was on offer. A learning curve it has been descibed as by the management, but with just two games to go, the final one away to the Ulster champions Monaghan, Tyrone will have to learn quickly.

 

Big Weekend for St Macartans

Saturdays game is part of a big weekend in memory of Sean McElroy who passed away last Summer. The host club, St Macartan’s, have pulled out the stops to remember Sean.  Described as a great club member, manager and friend, Sean was the first ever manager of St. Macartan’s ladies when the club was formed in 1992, he also managed at inter county level. A special memorial match is planned as the precursor to the vital national league clash. St Macartans welcome St Eunans, One of Sean’s proudest moments was managing the U14 team to the All Ireland Féile competition in 2010. The 2010 U14 team have now progressed to minor level and  St Macartans welcome their hosts from that momentous occasion, St Eunans.

 

Sean’s wife, Bridie, and the McElroy Family will be at the double bill at the weekend. Bridie has kindly donated the Sean McElroy memorial trophy for the U16 player of the year to the Club. This will be presented by Bridie to the 2012 U16 player of the year at the end of Saturday’s game. Sean was part of the U16 management in 2012 and a few weeks after his sad passing the girls done him proud by securing the Elaine Treanor memorial U16 league shield for the third year in a row.

 

UNDER 14’s OFF THE MARK

 

Tyrone under 14 squad continued where they left off after clinching the Ulster blitz by securing an opening round win in the Ulster under 14 football championship. Braving a cold and blustery day in Castlderg, both Tyrone and the visitors, Monaghan, served up a high scoring treat with Tyrone sealing a 6-6 to 3-10 win at the end of a very entertaining tie.
Next up for Tyrone on April 6th is an away trip to Armagh, before the round robin series continues against Donegal, Cavan and Down.

 

MINORS OPEN AGAINST DONEGAL

 

A new look Tyrone minor squad embark on the defence of the Ulster title against Donegal on Monday April 1st with Cavan up next in a competitive Ulster championship campaign. Managers Paddy Fox and Malachy Coyle have been impressed with the work rate shown and the overall build up has been good for Tyrone who are aiming for three in a row of titles.

 
It is however a very changed team and has a very youthful look about it, Donegal are bolstered by a slightly older core of players and Monday’s test away from home could well be a tricky one for the champions and beaten all Ireland finalists.