Tyrone 0-17
Roscommon 0-12
TYRONE SHOCKED ROSCOMMON to book their return to the All-Ireland U21 Football final for the first time in 12 years.
Lee Brennan led the way with six points as the Red Hand raced into an early lead in Markievicz Park and never looked back.
Munster champions Tipperary await in the decider on 2 May after they stunned holders Dublin in Tullamore earlier on Saturday.
Roscommon came into the game as favourites but last year’s beaten finalists were slow to start and conceded four points without reply in the opening seven minutes, Brennan getting two of them.
With Rossies danger man Enda Smith shackled by man of the match Padraig Hampsey, the Connacht men relied on Diarmuid Murtagh to keep them in touch, and his third point of the first half got them back to within a point, 0-8 to 0-7.
But a point from the lively Brennan and a free from Daniel McNulty stretched Tyrone’s lead to three at the break, 0-10 to 0-7.
Two apiece from Brennan and McNulty kept the scoreboard ticking over for Tyrone in the second half but Roscommon threatened a late comeback when sub Jack Earley and Murtagh pointed in quick succession to make it 0-14 to 0-12 with five minutes to play.
Tyrone finished the stronger though with midfielder Francis Burns, Brennan and McNulty all pointing to secure a famous win.
Scorers for Tyrone: Lee Brennan 0-6 (1f), Daniel McNulty 0-4 (3f), Cathal McShane 0-3, Mark Kavanagh 0-2, Michael Cassidy, Francis Burns 0-1 each.
Scorers for Roscommon: Diarmuid Murtagh 0-6 (4f), Cathal Compton 0-3, Ronan Daly (1f), Thomas Corcoran, Jack Earley 0-1 each.
Roscommon
1. Shane Mannion (St Brigid’s)
2. Niall McInerney (St Brigid’s)
3. Sean Mullooly (Strokestown)
4. Denis Barron (Eire Óg)
19. Evan McGrath (Boyle)
6. Cathal Kenny (Oran)
7. Ronan Daly (Pádraig Pearses)
8. Cathal Compton (Strokestown)
9. Tadhg O’Rourke (Tulsk Lord Edwards)
10. Shane Killoran (Elphin)
11. Ultan Harney (Clann na nGael)
22. Kieran Kilcline (Roscommon Gaels)
13. Diarmuid Murtagh (St Faithleach’s)
14. Enda Smith (Boyle)
15. Paul Kenny (Oran)
Substitutes:
16. Nigel Kelly for Mannion (29)
12. Jack Earley for Kilcline (H/T)
20. Thomas Corcoran for O’Rourke (33)
24. Noel Gately for P Kenny (40)
21. Kevin Finn for Compton (59)
18. David Neary for C Kenny (60)
Tyrone
1. Sean Fox (Killyclogher)
2. Ruairi Mullan (Cookstown)
3. Padraig Hampsey (Coalisland)
4. Michael Cassidy (Ardboe)
5. Ciaran McLaughlin (Omagh)
6. Rory Brennan (Trillick)
7. Kieran McGeary (Pomeroy)
8. Francis Burns (Pomeroy)
9. Cathal McShane (Owen Roe)
10. Conor Meyler (Omagh)
11. Mark Kavanagh (Errigal Ciaran)
12. Matthew Walsh (Dungannon)
13. Lee Brennan (Trillick)
14. Daniel McNulty (Clonoe)
15. Ruairi McGlone (Aghaloo)
Substitutes:
20. Sean McKenna for McGlone (41)
23. Mark Bradley for Kavanagh (45)
21. Peter McKenna for Walsh (57)
Darragh Kavanagh for Brennan (60+1)
Comes across as much more level headed than people would have you believe. Great for the LOI too if he plays – shows youngsters that there’s an alternative to rotting in the reserves or lower leagues in England away from their family and friends
Really hope he gets his debut today, great player and fully deserved
Hope he gets some game time tonight. He’s been fantastic this season for Rovers. His attitude is top class as well. Always encouraging his team mates and whilst getting kicked around by the opposition when they can get near him, not once has he shown one bit of retaliation.
Top man.
Start and prove yourself all over again you can do it
I hope Rovers signed him to a 3 year contract so they are properly compensated if Jack is sold on. Hate seeing top league of Ireland talent leave for free or peanuts while marginally better off SPL clubs (outside the big 2) can bring in millions in transfer fees. Hamilton selling James McCarthy for over 5 million being the prime example
@Sean: it’s horrible how much league of Ireland clubs have lost out on. I know they are under severe financial contraints no thanks to our useless association but the short term 1/2 contracts that they hand out don’t help.
It’s time for our best young players to recognise that England isn’t the be all and end all in terms of success. There are Irish players capable of playing for teams in the top divisions of Europe’s best leagues but instead they’re rotting playing poor football with dinosaur clubs in the championship. They’d get better technical football educations in Spain, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and Italy to name a few. Byrne seems a good lad and I wish him well!
Himself and Danny madroue of bohs are technically two of the best players ireland have at any level
without a doubt one of the most creative players in the squad at the minute
glen Whelan was picked above him the other night just let that sink in
@Jonnie Kenny: So was Darran Randolph ya muppet, Whelan is an experienced holding midfielder,which is what was required against a hugely experienced Swiss side,If you think Mick should have picked Byrne in a game of that importance then your knowledge of football is even worse than your post indicates
I really hope he gets good game time, if he gets on the pitch. Talented young man and confident on the ball too. Give him the space, freedom and time to let him show the nation what he’s worth! Go on Jack!!
Would not play this guy on a Sunday morning side let alone a international side come on mick McCarthy. You can do better
@Jock O’neill: just shows you know nothing about football Jock and your name suits you
@Jock O’neill: played really well and made a difference when he came on. Awkward for you
Thought this was an article about that jetted ballbag Sergio Ramos!