Exiles outlclass Tyrone
Tyrone 1-6 London 2-13
London’s Ulster SHC campaign hit the ground running at Healy Park today, where they proved much too classy for Tyrone.
Once Stephen Malone grabbed the Exiles’ first goal in the 18th minute, there was no looking back for Mick O’Dea’s side, who led their opponents a merry dance all afternoon.
Tyrone made a promising start with early scores from Conor Gallagher and David Lavery, but the Exiles, with Fergus McMahon and Sean Quinn a powerful force in midfield, soon settled to take control of the contest.
They went in front through McMahon, Kevin McMullan and Stephen Malone, before Peadar McMahon’s long range strike brought the sides level.
The game turned very much in favour of London in the 18th minute however when they struck for their first goal, albeit with the help of a touch of good fortune.
Malone sent in a hopeful delivery from the right, which deceived goalkeeper Niall Gallagher and ended in the net.
When Finn swept over a free, London led comfortably by 2-6 to 0-3 at the interval.
The visitors continued to show their superior class in the second half, and led by 13 points at one stage.
Finn continued to strike accurately from placed balls, and while the Red Hands did enjoy a brief productive spell which yielded excellent scores from Gallagher and Cormac McHugh, there was never a hint that they could drag themselves back into contention.
Finn, McMullan and Conor O’Halloran turned the screw, and Niall Healy and Sean McLoughlin held things tight at the back, until Tyrone finally did grab a late goal, drilled direct to the net from a 20 metre free by Gallagher.
Tyrone: N Gallagher, SP Begley, M Winters, M McElroy, S McKiver, S Donnelly, L Moore, N Hurson, C Gallagher (1-2 (1-2 frees)), D Lavery (0-1), P McMahon (0-1), C McHugh (0-1), P O’Connor (0-1), P Hughes, P Devine.
Subs: J Kelly for McMahon, J Connolly for O’Connor.
London: G McCollum, B Mulcahy, S McLoughlin, T Simms, T Abernethy, N Healy, E Phelan, S Quinn (0-1), F McMahon (0-1, free), J McCarthy (0-1), C O’Halloran (0-1), S Malone (1-1), K McMullan (1-1), M Finn (0-6, 1 free, 1 ’65’), C McDonnell.
Subs: M Mythen for O’Donnell, M Heffernan for Phelan, E Fahy for Abernethy, M OhArragain for Mulcahy.
Referee: R Matthews (Antrim).
