Eirgrid Ulster under-20 Football Championship (Round One)
Antrim 0-07 Tyrone 8-15
Tyrone opened their account in the Ulster under-20 football championship with a stylish performance when they proved too strong for their hosts Antrim at a chilly Dunsilly on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Hands side were to conclude with a huge advantage but the home team remained in touch with their visitors for most of the opening period before an early Gavin Potter goal gave the visitors an early advantage.
Antrim with the breeze behind them fought to stay in touch with the visitors in the early stages of the first period but a 7th minute Gavin Potter goal was followed shortly after by another from Oisin Gormley and Tyrone were on their way at 2-03 to 0-02 ahead.
The Saffron lads fought to stay in touch as Cahir Donnelly tried to inspire them but the visitors were dominating, and a third major by centre forward Eoin Mc Elholm gave them a a 3-04 to 0-03 advantage. Tom Shivers had raised a couple of white flags for the home side to bring his personal haul to three but the visitors were to have the last say in proceedings.
The end to the opening period saw the Red Hands organised another attack and although net minder Shea Laverty made a good save to deny the shooter a foul on corner man Oisin Gormley was punished by a spot kick award and which was steered to the back of the net and Tyrone had earned a 4-05 to 0-05 interval lead.
Tyrone enjoyed the aid of the breeze which was now accompanied by rain as the second half commenced and Antrim were first away as Tom Shivers raised an early white flag but the visitors were quick to follow in kind as Cormac Devlin (2), Conor Owens, and Gavin Potter replied with points for the visitors.
The Tyrone show was now well on the road as the second half progressed and despite the honest endeavours of the Saffron lads they were struggling to get off the rack and a well-constructed offensive saw Cormac Devlin and Eoin Mc Elholm in for goals apiece in the 41st and 43rd minutes.
The home side lost then the services of Cahir Donnelly, the victim of a second yellow card offence in the 50th minute and when Eoin McElholm nipped in for another major shortly after that was that.
Both sides gave game time to late replacements and Tom Shivers had the last say on the board with a 59th minute point, just before the final whistle sounded which signalled an 8-15 to 0-07 win for Tyrone.
Antrim: Shea Laverty (0-01), Ciaran Maginnis, Cahir Donnelly, Paddy Gowdy, Tiernan Mc Cormick, Paul Duffin, Connloadh Mc Cann, Manus Mc Crossan, Tom Shivers (0-05), Callum Walsh, Enda Mc Cartan, Enda Mc Cartan, Rory Mc Erlean, Niall Duffy, Jonny Hannon, Niall Fallon
Subs
Jack Toner
Ronan Quinn
Charlie Mc Cann
Niall Hynds
Tyrone: Conor Mc Anerny, Joey Clarke, Ben Hughes, Connor Devlin, Shea O’ Hare (0-01), Michael Rafferty, Odhran Brolly, Ruairi Mc Hugh, Paddy Mc Cann, Cormac Devlin , Ruairi Mc Hugh, Paddy Mc Cann, Cormac Devlin , Eoin Mc Elholm, Gavin Potter , Ronan Cassidy ,Conor Owens , Oisin Gormley
Referee: R Donoghue (Derry)
