Tigerish Tyrone reach decider

Matty Lennon’s Tyrone are 70 minutes from breaking new ground and advancing to Division 2 of the Allianz Hurling League after recording a 0-18 to 1-11 win over Monaghan in Saturday’s Division 3A final.

A derby between the Red Hands and Donegal will determine who will fill the final slot in the 2B section of the league next year and Tyrone will be confident of their chances.

Monaghan struck the first four points but Tyrone were once again very well served by captain Damien Casey, who struck 0-9 and helped them into a 0-6 to 0-5 half time lead. That lead grew at the start of the second half but the game appeared to swing in Monaghan’s favour when Casey had a penalty blocked and then Stephen Lambe goaled at the other end had the sides levels entering the final quarter.

Excellent points from Mark Winters and Gerard Gilmore restored Tyrone’s lead however and there was little or chance of Monaghan retrieving the situation once Peter Treanor was shown a straight red card with five minutes to play.

Warwickshire will join Monaghan in Division 3A next year after they took advantage of Longford’s indiscipline to record a 1-15 to 2-10 win in the 3B decider at Ratoath.

Eoin Donnellan goaled from a penalty to give Longford a 1-7 to 0-7 interval lead, but Cathal Mullane’s dismissal in the first half cost his side dearly as they struggled to keep pace with the Exiles early in the second half.

Colm McBride’s goal immediately after half time gave Warwickshire a lead that they never relinquished and once Paddy Corcoran joined Mullane on the sideline following another red card shortly after half time, there was only going to be one winner.

A late goal for Bart Hartley ensured an exciting finish but even in the closing minutes with the game on the line, Longford just had too much to do given their numerical disadvantage.