McKenna Cup 2024

[never kickt a ball]

McKenna Cup final: Tyrone beat Derry for five-in-a row

Tyrone clinched a fifth straight McKenna Cup triumph with a 1-22 to 1-17 extra-time victory over the Oak Leafers in the Athletic Grounds decider.

Ryan Bell's goal helped Derry to a two-point lead near the end of normal time.

Tyrone pair Cathal McCarron and Ronan McNamee were sent-off late on along with Derry's Daniel McKinless.

Tyrone hit two points deep into injury-time to draw level at 0-15 to 1-12 and force extra time before Darren Curry's penalty sealed a Red Hands success.

The holders opened up a 0-3 to 0-1 lead inside the first 13 minutes but struggled for long spells.

Derry reeled off 1-4 in a row with Bell netting after 29 minutes - his penalty attempt was blocked by Niall Morgan but the Ballinderry forward gathered the rebound to score.

Ronan O'Neill ended a long scoring drought for Tyrone, chipping over from close range for the Red Hands' first point in 22 minutes.

Tyrone trailed by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break and manager Mickey Harte made a triple substitution at the start of the second half.

Conor Meyler's energy was a big factor in Tyrone's improved display but Derry still led by four points, at 1-9 to 0-8, midway through the second half.

Tyrone subs Niall Sludden and McCurry nailed 0-3 from play inside three minutes to draw the holders level and set up an exciting finish.

Derry responded well with Enda Lynn and Conor Kearns scoring from play.

Tempers flared towards the end of normal time with McCarron receiving a straight red card while McNamee and McKinless were dismissed for two yellows.

Oak Leaf manager Damian Barton also finished the game in the stands.

Referee Noel Mooney signalled four minutes of injury-time but played six, allowing one last Tyrone attack.

When Niall Sludden was fouled, McCurry hit the equaliser and the Red Hands were the more convincing side in extra time.

McCurry converted a penalty with seconds remaining to secure a 10th McKenna Cup success for Harte.

Tyrone: N Morgan; C McCarron, R McNamee, HP McGeary (0-1); T McCann (0-1), J McMahon, B Tierney; C Cavanagh, C Clarke; H Og Conlon, M Donnelly, C McShane (0-3); L Brennan (0-4, 2f), R O'Neill (0-1), P Quinn

Subs: P McNulty for Clarke (HT), C Meyler (0-3, 1f) for Conlon (HT), C McAliskey (0-3, 3f) for Quinn (HT), D McCurry (1-3, pen, 1f) for O'Neill (47), N Sludden (0-2) for McMahon (51), J Munroe (0-1) for McShane (66), P Hampsey for Tierney (72), C McShane for McGeary (76)

Derry: T Mallon; C Mullan, M Craig, K McKaigue; G McKinless, C McKaigue, D Heavron; B Rogers, E Bradley (0-2); E Lynn (0-3), J Kielt (0-3, 2f), B Heron; S Heavron, C O'Boyle (0-1, f), R Bell (1-1, f)

Subs: C McAtamney (0-1) for Rogers (1), C Bradley (0-1) for S Heavron (32), O Duffy (0-1) for Craig (41), C Kearns (0-2) for Heron (49), D McKinless for Bell (53), N Forrester (0-1) for G McKinless (59), G McWilliams (0-1, f) for Kielt (79)

Referee: Noel Mooney (Cavan)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gaelic-games/35382382

[ONeill]

Good highlights: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/gaelic-games/35395208

Some collection of hallions in the crowd.

[Moortown Spuds]

Same pest kicked the ball off the tee as the one that hit the deck holding his face after getting pushed in the chest?

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

Same pest kicked the ball off the tee as the one that hit the deck holding his face after getting pushed in the chest?

Growing up, living and working in Tyrone will eventually see their skullduggery wear off on even the best of men.

[Club Rossa]

That's why Barton lost the plot last night too.He works in Tyrone.
Not forgetting the Tyrone men in your backroom team.We've a lot to answer for.

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

That's why Barton lost the plot last night too.He works in Tyrone.
Not forgetting the Tyrone men in your backroom team.We've a lot to answer for.

Quite possibly some truth in that, but still early days for our new managerial team. I hope they can remain true to the real values of the GAA.
Ref should have taken sterner action against Monroe and cavanagh in that incident though.

[Any craic]

Barton needs to keep his cool in the Summer.. here's a new video from the game..
http://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2016/01/23/news/mckenna-cup-final-tyrone-v-derry-391922/?param=ds441rif44T

[Wildweasel74]

No ruckus would have started of the keeper didn't try to lift the Derry man up,that started the whole thing, still think an automatic red to the 3rd man into any row. flare up would cut out any row ever happening  in Gaelic football or any other sport for that matter

[Jinxy]

Tyrone just bring out the worst in their opponents.
If the Vatican entered a team in the McKenna Cup I wouldn't be surprised to see Pope Proinsias going for someone.

[Club Rossa]

The Pope doesn't work in Tyrone Jinxy so he'd be able to keep his cool.

[ONeill]

No Pope here.

Barton's gallop reminded me of the great Eamon Coleman doing the same v Tyrone in 2001 I think.

[Club Rossa]

That was the day him and Dooher had a wee altercation.

[red hander]

The Fix for Six starts here.

The Tyronies will be in heaven at seven, at this stage it must rank as one of the greatest GAA achievements this century, 5 in a row, unbelievable achievement. must bode well for croke park in september.

Winning is better than losing though! How's your strategy of losing games going for you?

I agree, I am saying it is an unbelievable achievement, you all must be very proud.

Nah, we're prouder of our three Sams. That's three Sams...

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

The Fix for Six starts here.

The Tyronies will be in heaven at seven, at this stage it must rank as one of the greatest GAA achievements this century, 5 in a row, unbelievable achievement. must bode well for croke park in september.

Winning is better than losing though! How's your strategy of losing games going for you?

I agree, I am saying it is an unbelievable achievement, you all must be very proud.

Nah, we're prouder of our three Sams. That's three Sams...

Right, I'm assuming Sam Neill and Sammy Brush are two; haven't a notion who the third might be.

[Throw ball]

No ruckus would have started of the keeper didn't try to lift the Derry man up,that started the whole thing, still think an automatic red to the 3rd man into any row. flare up would cut out any row ever happening  in Gaelic football or any other sport for that matter

Agree totally. As the rules stand I feel the referee got the cards right in this incident. For a team that takes gamesmanship to the brink Tyrone cannot really complain when an opposition player overreacts. At least the Derry man got enough contact to send him to the ground. Still Tyrone can play football when they want too. Derry also seem to have improved. Should be a cracker in May.

As an Armagh man I have to say the Athletic Grounds has a great atmosphere and there have been a number of exciting games there in the last while.