Tyrone triumph in gripping Minor final against Kerry

Diarmuid Martin's fairytale winner clinched a dramatic All-Ireland MFC triumph for Tyrone at Cedral St Conleth’s Park as they edged out Kerry in a classic.

The attacker only came into the team as a replacement for the unavailable Joel Kerr, who was ruled out by his commitment to Premier Legue club West Ham, with whom he took up a professional contract this week.

A pulsating second half swung in favour of both sides, with the Red Hands gaining a vital edge with a 52nd minute penalty goal, before the Kingdom regained the lead late on, only to be pegged back by two stoppage time points.

This was Tyrone’s fourth All-Ireland under-age title in the past five years, adding to the three U20 crowns and delivering rich promise of a bright era ahead for the county.

Peter Colton edged wind-assisted Tyrone ahead after five minutes, but they struggled to break down a well organised Kingdom defence that forced a number of turnovers, with Ronan Sheridan and Eoghan Joy setting them on the counter-attack for Gearóid White and Alex Tuohy to pick off points.

Ben Kelliher’s pace caused serious problems to the Tyrone defence, and he got on the end of a surging run from cenrre back David Sargent to bring the sides level for a fifth time in the 22nd minute.

With both sides getting their own kick-out away successfully, long and short, it was the Red Hands who got on top for midfielder James Mulgrew to fire over a two-pointer, before Eoin Long edged them three ahead from a free.

Peter Colton scores Tyrone's first goal with a penalty

But Kerry finished the half in a whirlwind, with wing back Danny Murphy burning through with a string of scything runs.

He slotted over a point and provided the assist for Kelliher to smash a shot to the roof of the net in the 29th minute, turning a three-point deficit into a two-point advantage in the space of four minutes.

They took a 1-07 to 0-08 lead into the interval, but the Ulster champions were level within two minutes of the restart, wing back Aodhan Quinn scoring one and setting up another score.

But the Munster lads stepped it up again, superbly struck two-pointers from White and Kevin Griffin giving them a four-point cushion.

Tyrone, with midfielder James Mulgrew driving forward at every opportunity, were awarded a penalty for a foul on substitute Matthew Daly, which Peter Colton smashed to the top corner of the net and they were back in front with eight minutes to play.

Back came the Kingdom for Murphy to race through for a point, and a mazy run from Kelliher was finished with the lead point on 60 minutes.

The Red Hands found another response deep into added time, however, and after Colton had levelled from a free, Martin picked up the rebound after a Colton effort had come off a post, and slotted over a dramatic winner.

Tyrone: R Donnelly; E Kerr, P Goodman, C McCrystal; A Quinn (0-01), J Daly, T Meenan; J Mulgrew (0-03, 1tp), P Donaghy; D McAnespie (0-01, f), P Colton (1-02, 1-0 pen, 1f), C Farley; D Martin (0-03), E Long (0-05, 3f), P McDonald.

Subs: M Daly (0-01) for McAnespie (43), V Gormley for McDonald (47), M Kennedy for Long (58)

Kerry: R Kennedy; R Sheridan, E Joy, T O Slatara; D Murphy (0-02), D Sargent, M Clifford; M O Se, J Curtin (0-01); M O’Carroll, G White (0-04, 1tp, 1f), A Tuohy (0-01); B Kelliher (1-02), K Griffin (0-03, 1tp, 1 ’45), T O’Connell (0-02).

Subs: M Lacey for O’Connell (43), J Kissane for O Se (51)

Referee: T Murphy (Galway).

Click here to read article