Syls girls in Dublin action

Tyrone, playing against the strong wind in the first half, adopted the dreaded “blanket defence” tactic with the aim of thwarting Dublin’s pacey forward line.  To their credit Dublin’s work rate especially in the opening 30 minutes was impressive. Gregory McGonigles charges often had to hold onto possession and build up patiently from their own back line before a shooting position would open up for them.

Up front Amy Connolly, Hannah Noonan, Carla Rowe and Lyndsey Davey were very creative for the sky blues. Their constant movement causing the Tyrone defence much consternation.

Lyndsey Davey and Hannah Noonan scored Dublin’s first half goals with the home team taking a 2-11 to 0-03 lead into the dressing room at half time.  Carla Rowe was on target with a couple of first half frees while Sinead Goldrick, Niamh McEvoy, Noelle Healy, Nicole Owens and Amy Connolly raised the white flag for the sky blues.

The second half was a formality for last years beaten NFL finalists with Tyrone’s resilience waning as the game progressed. The nail in the Tyrone coffin came in the 49^th minute when Dublin captain Lyndsey Davey scored her side’s third goal.

Neamh Woods, Angie McShane and Joline Donnelly tried hard throughout the 60 minutes for their side, however try as they might the gulf between the sides was evident from the throw in. Tyrone now have to beat Laois in the final round game of the NFL on April 12^th to maintain their top flight status.

An away game to Cork is up next for the Dubs on April 12^th in a repeat of the 2014 NFL decider.

Dublin: Ciara Trant, Olwen Carey, Sorcha Furlong, Fiona Hudson, Sinead Goldrick, Sinead Finnegan, Niamh Collins, Niamh McEvoy, Sarah McCaffrey, Amy Connolly, Hannah Noonan, Noelle Healy, Nicole Owens, Lyndsey Davey, Carla Rowe

Dublin Subs: Molly Lamb for Sinead Goldrick, Sinead O’Mahony for Fiona Hudson, Kim flood for Nicole Owens, Olivia Leonard for Niamh McEvoy, Muireann Ní Scanaill for Sorcha Furlong

Dublin Scorers: Lyndsey Davey 2-02, Carla Rowe 0-06 (4f), Hannah Noonan 1-01, Amy Connolly 0-03, Sarah McCaffrey 0-02, Sinead Goldrick, Niamh McEvoy, Noelle Healy, Nicole Owens, Olivia Leonard 0-01 each

Tyrone: Niamh McKenna, Karen Quinn, Christiane Hunter, Emma Louise Mulgrew, Grainne Rafferty, Neamh Woods, Maria Donnelly, Michaela McGuigan, Gemma Begley, Joline Donnelly, Emma Smyth, Zoe Loughern, Angie McShane, Cathy Donnelly, Tori McLaughlin

Tyrone Sub: Siobhan Sheerin for Cathy Donnelly

Tyrone Scorers: Joline Donnelly 0-02, Michaela McGuigan, Zoe Loughern, Cathy Donnelly 0-01 each

Referee: Yvonne Duffy (Cavan)