tyrone........................................................ 1-12
meath ..........................................................0-8
By Alan Rodgers
A SERIES of brilliant scores in the closing stages rewarded a rampant Tyrone for holding their nerve in this All-Ireland Vocational Schools Final to decisively dismiss the challenge of stubborn opponents at Clones yesterday.
Everything was being set up perfectly for a close finish when the Ulster champions at last began producing the type of fluent football which has been their hallmark throughout this 2007 season. Minutes later they had pulled clear to secure a ninth national title with seven points to spare.
How appropriate it was that the team captain, Sean Robinson, received the Paul McGirr Cup for the first time ever. It marked the culmination of an impressive season which has highlighted the county's premier position in the grade.
Just one point separated the teams when a point from Martin Rodgers opened the floodgates in the last quarter. They were rampant from then on as Kyle Coney, Steven Curran, Niall Fox and Barry McGarvey completed a marvellous victory.
This result reaped a rich dividend for the new champions. Sterling play from the skipper, Sean Robinson, Paddy McNeice and Kyle Coney and Kevin Corr was rewarded as they emerged as impressive winners.
But it wasn't always as easy. Missed chances were the story of the opening period as both teams struggled to find their range in front of goal and a tally of eight wides for the Leinster champions especially highlighted their failure to make best use of midfield dominance.
The height and strength of Owen Reilly and Graham Patterson saw them gain a foothold. However, it was Tyrone instead who looked set to press ahead when they grabbed an important goal early on.
Swapped points between Shane Farrelly for Meath and Paddy McNeice for Tyrone settled the respective sides. Then, a brilliant move out of defence saw Tyrone tear down to the field to score a brilliant goal. Sean Robinson's initial clearance was capitalised upon by Darren Carson who subsequently set up Paddy McNeice. He placed Kyle Coney, who made no mistake with a low hard shot to the net.
With Paul Martin, Peter Devlin and Kevin Corr working hard, the way seemed to be clear for Tyrone to build upon that 1-1 to 0-1 advantage. But they managed just one more point in the first half and often led a charmed existence as Meath attacked almost at will.
Only the steady defending of Conor Hegarty, Sean Robinson and Paul Martin kept them at bay. Nevertheless, points from Gary Farrelly and John Broderick ensured that things remained extremely tight on a score of 1-2 to 0-3 and it could have been worse.
Time and again important interceptions in front of goal prevented Meath from grabbing control. More worrying was the failure of Kyle Coney, Paddy McNeice and Martin Rodgers to gain the space which had seen them often make their mark earlier in the campaign.
A point from Paul McAleer kept them just in front before Meath came close to getting a goal on two occasions. Greg Kelly saved well from Andrew Tormey at the expense of a point from the rebound by Shane Farrelly. Then, Sean Robinson shouldered Tormey just as the centre forward was bearing down on goal.
Under these circumstances the Tyrone management and players were undoubtedly glad to hear the half-time whistle. The opportunity to refocus on the task ahead was probably the main aim as urgent action was demanded to restore confidence on the resumption.
Both teams also found the going tough at the start of the second half. But the roving play of players like Owen O'Reilly, Andrew Tormey continued to keep Meath in control as the match remained very tight indeed.
While the standard of play was generally scrappy, there was no doubting the commitment of either team. Swapped points between O'Reilly and Shane Farrelly and Darren Carson and Kevin Corr brought the sides level at 1-4 to 0-7 before things finally began to go in favour of the Ulster champions.
Conor Carson, Conor Hegarty and Gareth Coney stopped Meath from breaking through, although it was shaky at times. This was emphasised by a number of vital escapes, most notably when Owen O'Reily volleyed the ball off the crossbar entering the final quarter.
Now was the time for Tyrone to put in that extra effort needed to secure the title. From then to the finish they gradually hammered home their advantage thanks to some great attacking play and fine scores.
Martin Rodgers started the route with a curling point after taking a pass from Paddy McNeice. Elsewhere, Sean Robinson, Conor Carson, Steven Curran and Kevin Corr began to exert a far greater influence on proceedings than had previously been the case.
Long range points courtesy of Kyle Coney and Steven Curran opened up an important 1-9 to 0-8 lead with the minutes ebbing away. The fitness of this Tyrone team saw them race to the finish line thanks to the type of fluent football which has been a hallmark throughout this 2007 season.
Half-back Barry McGarvey calmly fired over two points as substitute Niall Fox capitalised on the efforts of players like Martin Rodgers, Kevin Corr and Paddy McNeice to see Tyrone emerge comprehensive winners with seven points to spare. All the doubts which had surfaced for much of the game evaporated during those closing stages as a ninth All-Ireland crown was secured to seal their place in the history books as the first winners of the Paul McGirr Cup.
