Masters Football
Antrim 0-8 Tyrone 2-13
All Ireland Masters champions, Tyrone proved just why they are the reigning champions when they proved too good for Antrim in a top of the table group clash in Toome on Saturday.
The Saffrons battled hard throughout and started well to trail by the minimum after ten minutes but were hit with a somewhat soft penalty award when Stephen Harbinson in the Antrim goals was adjudged to have impeded Mark Donnelly when the Tyrone number 12 seemed to charge into him.
Donnelly picked himself up of the canvas to convert the resulting penalty and put a bit of daylight between the sides but Antrim came close to a goal themselves when Ryan Boyd’s long delivery was scrambled of the line at the other end.
Antrim who started without several of their top names, including Michael McCann suffered another blow when Paddy Cunningham was forced to retire after Michael McCarry had pointed to reduce the Tyrone lead to 1-4 to 0-3 after 18 minutes after Close and Cunningham had converted for the home side.
Frank Delargy’s side were battling hard but were too slow and ponderous in their build-up play and were being turned over by a strong and hard tackling Tyrone defence.
They suffered another blow when Laurence Higgins fouled Michael Anderson and the man in the middle again pointed to the spot. This time Harbinson got down superbly to save Donnelly’s penalty but the ball wasn’t cleared and Donnelly was on hand to finish for his second goal of the afternoon.
Michael Anderson followed with a point with a late pointed free in reply from Michael McCarry leaving Antrim 8 in arrears as the half time whistle sounded.
Antrim’s problems were compounded when keeper, Harbinson had to retire at the interval with an injury sustained during his penalty save with mid-fielder, Ryan Boyd also unable to return for second half action.
They were first off the mark however when Kevin Gallagher punched over in the opening minute and when Stephen O’Connell struck a fine long range point in the 5th minute a comeback looked on the cards.
It failed to materialise however as Tyrone reasserted their command on proceedings with Mark Donnelly, Conor Gormley and Damian Kelly 0-2 moving them 11 ahead before Darren Craig replied with a late point for the Saffrons.
This win keeps Tyrone on course for a 5th senior title in succession and on this form they look like a side who will be hard to beat.
Antrim now drop into the knockout stages of the second tier competition and despite Saturday’s defeat they look more than capable of giving that competition a real lash.
They will need all players on board however and badly missed Michael McCann from their starting side on Saturday but hopefully he will be back for the knockout series with Paddy Cunningham, Ryan Boyd and Ciaran Close hopefully recovered from the injures that forced them to retire against the champions.
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