Tyrone 2-11
Down 1-11

by Alan Gunn

TYRONE held out to overcome their Ulster rivals Down in a rip-roaring clash in Clones on Sunday afternoon to book their place in in the 2024 TG4 All-Ireland intermediate final.

The 2018 champions led at the break by four points, 1-6 to 0-5, but were pushed all the way in the second half in what was a very entertaining encounter, with Down once again showing they can mix it with the best in the competition after coming back up from junior level last year.

The sides were level after a cautious opening quarter with two points apiece, Chloe McCaffrey with a brace for Tyrone including one from a free, Natasha Ferris (free) and Niamh McClory levelling for Down, before Tyrone struck for the game’s opening goal on 16 minutes.

It came from Aoife Horisk after as she gathered a superb pass from Maria Canavan. McCaffrey, who hit four first half points, stretched the lead but Down hung in there with Ferris (free) and a fine Niamh King point.

However, Tyrone went in at the break 1-6 to 0-4 ahead with three unanswered points before the interval, McCaffrey, Aine Grimes and Canavan (free) all raising white flags.

With the opening three of points half coming from the Ulster champions, the deficit was cut to the minimum by the 43rd minute, thanks to McClory and a King brace. Tyrone introduced Sorcha Gormley, who earlier in the week helped Tyrone minors defeat Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final, and the Carrickmore girl added life to their attack.

Canavan landed a free and then the Errigal Ciaran girl was on hand to take the lay off from Gormley to fire an unstoppable shot to the net on 49 minutes. 

Down struck back with a goal from substitute Eimear Fitzpatrick with her first touch of the game. The sides traded a further six points, with Fitzpatrick really impressive for the Mourne girls.

Tyrone held out despite a few nervy moments in the closing minutes with a Fitzpatrick free going the wrong side of the butt of the post to advance to a clash with Leitrim in the decider. 

Scorers - Tyrone: M Canavan 1-4 (0-2f), C McCaffrey 0-5 (2f), A Horisk 1-1, A Grimes 0-1.

Down: E Fitzpatrick 1-2 (0-1f), N King 0-3 (1f), N Ferris 0-2 (f), N McClory 0-2, L Duffy 0-1, A Smyth 0-1

TYRONE: A Coyle; J Lyons, J Barrett, E Quinn; C Campbell, M Corrigan, C Daly; Á Grimes, A McHugh (c.); E.J. Gervin, A Horisk, E McNamee; M Canavan, E Conroy, C McCaffrey. Subs: C Gormley for E Conroy (35), M Mallon for E McNamee (38), E Mulgrew for C Daly (41), K R Muldoon for J Lyons (59), S Byrne for A Horisk (59).

DOWN: A McGivern; A Greene, C Byrne, E Sands; C Mulvenna, N McKibbin, O Duffy; M Doherty (c.), A Laverty; A McAlea, N McClory, L Duffy; S Dougherty, N Ferris, N King. Subs: Vivienne McCormack for S Dougherty (40), E Fitzpatrick for N Ferris (49), P Smyth for C Mulvenna (49), A Smyth for N King (55).

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).

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