by Ronan McSherry
THE feeling among the Tyrone minor management and players following their two point win over Down on Sunday was one of relief as they knew their opponents had missed several clear cut goal chances in the first half.
Half forward Kyle Coney scored two points from play in the first half and made a massive second half contribution as he foraged further downfield to help his midfield and back division. Indeed it was the extra effort put in by all the Tyrone team after the interval saw them turn a three point deficit into a 0-16 to 0-14 victory.
"It was a good game and a good win. We worked hard in the second half and knew we had to had to, otherwise we were out of the competition. In the first half we had no workrate and thankfully eventually got going. In the first half Down could have been much further ahead so it was vital we got some good scores to keep in touch with them. Only for Tim Harney in goals we were gone. He made a couple of great saves.
"The management told us during the break we were very flat on our feet and had not given what was expected of us. While we kicked a few good scores the forwards weren't tackling or working enough. At least we were in touching distance at half-time although we hadn't really played to our potential. We knew at the break we could do lot better. "
The former Holy Trinity student dismissed any suggestion that Tyrone had underestimated their opponents.
"To be honest we didn't know what they were like. We knew they had good league form and drew with Meath but we didn't now what to expect from them. We definitely didn't get going to the second half. We got 'jizzed' up in the changing room at half-time and got going after that."
In his second year on the county minor team Coney gave a trojan second half performance.
"Everyone needed to lift their workrate a few gears. To be fair I think we did that especially around the defence. When Brian Kelly was sent off it pushed us on a bit more. Everybody showed the hunger then to win this game and we managed to hold out for the last ten minutes. Ciaran Gervan definitely gave us a lift when he came in and was unlucky to get dropped the first day. He ran at them and scored two excellent points. He certainly played very well and will be pushing for a starting place the next day."
Tyrone will meet either Armagh or Cavan in the semi-final on June 29. However on Sunday afternoon the Ardboe star, who was rumoured to be going to Australia to play Aussie Rules football earlier in the year, was just 'relieved' to have gotten over their first hurdle.
