Tyrone......1-21
Meath........2-7
By ALan Rodgers

THE crowning glory of an All-Ireland Minor title is now within the sights of the talented Tyrone Minors whose stirring start to the second half saw them emphatically sweep Meath aside in the first part of the triple bill at Croke Park on Sunday.

Seven sensational scores in the opening minutes after the resumption catapulted the Red Hands into dreamland. From then on there was only going to be one winner and the eleven point margin at the finish means that Tyrone will be relishing the tilt for the title against reigning champions Mayo later this month.

Corner forward Kyle Coney once again spearheaded their best attacking efforts in that spell. He hit three great points from play as Ciaran Gervin, Diarmuid McNulty and Matthew Donnelly put the tie out of reach entering the final quarter.

But there were warning signs, too, against the dangers of complacency. Two goals in quick succession from the Royal county provoked some anxious moments before order was restored on a day to remember for the young guns. And, each one of them played their part in helping the county reach its tenth All-Ireland Final in the U-18 grade.

Memories of the Ulster Minor League Final between the counties suggested the prospect of a closely fought encounter. Indeed, the initial indications were that Tyrone would be required to fight hard to repeat their success in that provincial decider.

Early pressure ensured a nervous start for them and they were forced onto the back foot as the Royal county launched a series of spirited early attacks. Niall McKenna, Peter Harte and Finbar McQuaid all had to be on their toes against the forceful running of Jamie Owens, Michael Newman and Andrew Tormey.

Corner forward Paddy Gilsenan fired over from a free as the Ulster champions were fortunate to avoid conceding a goal when Tim Harney came out to block in the second minute. As a result, the expectations of a really tricky encounter looked like being realised as Meath continued to dominate.

Their best chance to forge ahead came in the seventh minute when Michael Newman hit the post after being put through by Daire Smith. However, that reprieve proved to be a wake-up call for Tyrone and from then on they proceeded to compete much more effectively.

With Finbar McQuaid and Peter Harte defending well, the work of Martin Rodgers and Niall McKenna at midfield began to pay dividends approaching the end of the first quarter. Conor O'Neill opened the scoring from a free as they began to gain the upper hand.

Swapped points between Niall McKenna and Mark Battersby kept the issue firmly in doubt as Tyrone's efforts were undermined by wasteful shooting. Nevertheless, they were looking poised to take control and duly delivered with a great spell of play that really boosted the confidence levels.

Martin Rodgers took a pass from Kyle Coney to edge them ahead for the first time. That well-taken long range score heralded the start of a sustained spell of dominance. Niall McKenna stretched the lead soon after and, while Mark Battersby responded for Meath, the initiative stayed firmly with Tyrone.

Further scores courtesy of Ciaran Gervin, Niall McKenna and a Conor O'Neill free extended the lead to 0-7 to 0-3. More importantly, the efforts of Peter Harte at centre back, Martin Rodgers and Niall McKenna at midfield and Ciaran Gervin, Matthew Donnelly and Kyle Coney were having an impact.

Then, a great goal just before the break provided the perfect reward for their industry. Meath's Ciaran Lenehan appeared to have things under control, but hesitated and ended up being dispossessed by the alert, Matthew Donnelly. He laid the ball off to the incoming Conor O'Neill whose sublime shot to the corner of the net thrilled both Tyrone and neutral supporters in the growing attendance.

Goals, of course, always have a huge bearing on proceedings. This strike earned Tyrone a valuable cushion of 1-7 to 0-4 and, although the dangerous Paddy Gilsenan responded for the Royals, everyone concerned must have been very satisfied indeed heading in double-scores leaders at half-time.

Half-time team talks can be notoriously predictable. But the calls to keep concentrating and press ahead were emphatically answered by a Tyrone side which sprang to life brilliantly when the second half started.

Good balls into the forwards from Niall McKenna, Martin Rodgers and Peter Harte created space for the likes of Conor O'Neill, Ciaran Gervin and Diarmuid McNulty to exploit. But it was Kyle Coney's strength and scoretaking which really caught the eye.

A point looked probably each team he won possession. Conor O'Neill's pass set them up for the first, then Ciaran Gervin raced through to leave seven between them before Coney again hit the target. It was top quality stuff which highlighted Tyrone's potential for probably the first time this season.

The only blip was the penalty conceded in the seventh minute. Midfielder Martin Rodgers foot blocked Michael Newman, but the Meath man's shot was expertly stopped by Tim Harney.

Moments later, Rodgers started the counter-attack which culminated in Diarmuid McNulty registering yet another score and the floodgates opened big time when Matthew Donnelly and Kyle Coney increased the total to a very impressive 1-13 with only ten minutes gone in that second period.

But Meath suddenly found an unexpected lifeline. Two goals in the space of two minutes from Damien Carroll and Daire Smyth cut the deficit to only five points with plenty of time left for the Leinster side to maintain the momentum of their fightback.

Urgent action was required to stem the tide. Damien Carroll hit a wide with a third goal on, a reprieve which prompted Tyrone into life again. And, they responded with an impressive final flourish which left absolutely no doubt about their overall dominance.

Four more great points from Kyle Coney combined with similarly well-taken efforts from Conor O'Neill, Ronan McNabb and Paddy McNeice ensured that the closing stages were a mere cakewalk.

Now a third Thomas Markham Cup triumph this decade and seventh in total beckons for Tyrone on what promises to be an historic day for all associated with this Minor squad back at Croke Park later this month.