Tyrone reign again: The key moments on the way to All-Ireland glory

When it came to it, the Red Hand took their goal chances while Mayo failed to do so

Tyrone’s Darren McCurry scorers his side’s second goal during the All-Ireland final win over Mayo. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho
Tyrone’s Darren McCurry scorers his side’s second goal during the All-Ireland final win over Mayo. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Tame effort

The goal chances told the story of this All-Ireland final. Mayo's first came after 15 minutes. Tyrone had responded to a strong Mayo start with some excellent scores from distance, but Bryan Walsh had a chance to give his team the early cushion their intensity and good play deserved. Ryan O'Donoghue bounced through the contact to put Walsh through, but his shot was smothered by Niall Morgan. The rebound fell to Conor Loftus, but his tame effort was saved off the line by Niall Sludden. Scoreline: Mayo 0-2 Tyrone 0-3

Bryan Walsh has his shot saved by goalkeeper Niall Morgan. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho
Bryan Walsh has his shot saved by goalkeeper Niall Morgan. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Body on the line

With the teams level after 27 minutes Aidan O'Shea received a beautiful diagonal pass from O'Donoghue, leaving just Ronan McNamee between him and Niall Morgan in the Tyrone goal. O'Shea's first time shot probably wasn't the best option and the Tyrone full back denied him with an inspirational diving block. From the next attack Niall Sludden floated over a beauty and Tyrone led for the remainder of the match. Scoreline: Mayo 0-5 Tyrone 0-6

Aidan O’Shea has his goal effort blocked by Ronan McNamee. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho
Aidan O’Shea has his goal effort blocked by Ronan McNamee. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Calm heads needed

Within the first five minutes of the second half Tommy Conroy turned his man and opened up. He'd been quiet since scoring the first point of the game and it showed as he rushed his shot. With support to his right and time to take an extra play he let fly early, aiming for the bottom left corner but dragging his effort wide. Scoreline: Mayo 0-8 Tyrone 0-10

Tommy Conroy pulls a goal effort wide. Photo: Tommy Dickson/Inpho
Tommy Conroy pulls a goal effort wide. Photo: Tommy Dickson/Inpho

Penalty miss

Mayo's best goal chance was their penalty. Coming just four minutes after Conroy's miss, O'Donoghue was the one left with head in hands this time. One of Mayo's best performers on the day, he ran hard at Frank Burns to win a free - the Tyrone man also picked up a yellow card. Kicking from a left footer's angle - Mayo have lacked a left footed free taker for some years now - his effort dropped short but was picked up off the ground by Burns on his own goal line. Morgan was off his line early for the spot kick and O'Donoghue's attempt to fill the top corner came off the outside of the post. Scoreline: Mayo 0-8 Tyrone 0-10

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Ryan O’Donoghue reacts to missing a penalty. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho
Ryan O’Donoghue reacts to missing a penalty. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Super sub

Mayo had cut the deficit to a point and missed back-to-back goal chances. Tyrone needed a score and substitute Cathal McShane delivered shortly after coming on. Conor Meyler's teasing pass hung up between defender and goalkeeper for McShane to instinctively flick it over his head into the back of the net. Tyrone got their chance and took it. Scoreline: Mayo 0-9 Tyrone 1-10

Cathal McShane celebrates scoring Tyrone’s first goal of the game. Photo: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Cathal McShane celebrates scoring Tyrone’s first goal of the game. Photo: Ryan Byrne/Inpho

Standout moment

Stephen Coen had just brought Mayo to within two points of the Ulster champions when Tyrone produced the standout play of the final after 58 minutes. Conn Kilpatrick judged Morgan's long kickout perfectly and caught it at full reach, came down on the turn and popped a perfectly-timed handpass to Conor McKenna. The former AFL star had been struggling but he took this at full tilt, drew in the goalkeeper, handpassed across goal without even looking, and Darren McCurry was there to palm it in. Scoreline: Mayo 0-11 Tyrone 2-10

Darren McCurry celebrates after scoring the second goal. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho
Darren McCurry celebrates after scoring the second goal. Photo: James Crombie/Inpho

Clinical Tyrone

Tyrone's bench once again made a telling impact and just after Darragh Canavan had fisted over a point the substitute was denied a goal by an excellent Rob Hennelly save in the 69th minute. Meyler had again provided the kick pass and Canavan showed great composure to try and round the Mayo goalkeeper but he narrowed the angle and made the save. McCurry gathered the rebound and fisted over. From Tyrone's three big goal chances they scored 2-1. Shortly after the goal Matthew Ruane was sent off. Scoreline: Mayo 0-14 Tyrone 2-13

Darragh Canavan has his shot blocked by Rob Hennelly but McCurry would collect to score a point. Photo: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times
Darragh Canavan has his shot blocked by Rob Hennelly but McCurry would collect to score a point. Photo: Dara Mac Donaill/The Irish Times