Tyrone 0-15 Dublin 1-12
A injury time goal from corner forward David O’Callaghan saved Dublin’s blushes and forced a replay as Tyrone were denied a deserved victory in today’s All-Ireland Minor final at Croke Park.
Tyrone started the first half brightly and had their opponents on the back foot early on. The Ulstermen restricted Dublin’s free-flowing game with their own direct approach, putting a stranglehold on the Dublin forward division.
Peter Donnelly, Barry Mulligan and Sean Kavanagh caught the eye in the middle of the park and up front for Tyrone and combined well to stretch their side into an early four point lead. Dublin, however, refused to lie down and dragged themselves into the game on the back of three unanswered points from the inspirational John Noonan.
Dublin were awarded a penalty approaching half-time, gifting them an ideal opportunity to seize a commanding lead going into the break. Barry Lyons stepped up but his effort was well saved by Tyrone ‘keeper John Divine who guessed right to thwart the Dublin captain.
Tyrone led by a single point at half-time on a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-6.
Tyrone started the second half as they did the first by opening up another four point lead. With their opponents using the ball intelligently up front, the Dublin management were forced to reshuffle their somewhat comatose attack.
Dublin confidence was taking a severe battering while Tyrone, in contrast, continued to play stylish, effective football. Once again they dominated at midfield and channeled their attacks well through both flanks.
But despite their second half dominance Tyrone failed to push home their advantage. Dublin kept plugging away and picked off a few nice points through John Noonan and David O’Callaghan.
With eight minutes remaining the sides drew level. But Tyrone soon picked up the pace and opened a three point advantage through Gerard Toner (two) and Tommy McGuigan.
Tyrone looked home and dry until Dublin corner forward David O’Callaghan was first to an inviting breaking ball three minutes into injury time. Close to goal, O’Callaghan gathered and scrambled his way past the Tyrone defence and poked the ball over the line to force the replay.