By Daragh Small at Parnell Park
Tyrone 1-11 Tipperary 0-13
Tyrone claimed the Eirgrid All-Ireland U-21 Football Championship title for the first time since 2001 as they beat Tipperary 1-11 to 0-13 at Parnell Park.
This year’s Ulster champions had not reached an All-Ireland decider in 12 years but Cathal McShane starred as they won after a pulsating finish.
The Red Hands trailed 0-07 to 0-05 at half-time and the game was delayed for a medical incident in the stand before Tyrone fought back after the break – McShane struck their goal in the 47th minute.
Tipperary had their chances and had the ball in the net as the clock ticked into injury-time but Ian Fahey’s goal was disallowed before Michael Cassidy was sent off for the victors.
Tipperary led at the interval despite playing against the breeze in an opening half where a wasteful Tyrone hit ten wides.
Kevin O’Halloran put Tipperary into a second-minute lead and Ian Fahey doubled that with a good point. Mark Bradley shot Tyrone’s first score in the seventh minute but it was evident the forwards weren’t clicking.
Cassidy came from corner-back to kick a good point soon after, but Bill Maher hit back for the Munster champions, who had dispatched reigning champions Dublin at the semi-final stage.
O’Halloran added another, his third of the game as the Premier County pulled three clear but Daniel McNulty’s free left it at 0-07 to 0-05 at half-time.
The start of the second-half was delayed when two members of the crowd needed medical assistance and Tyrone responded better to the lengthy interval break.
Two Lee Brennan frees and a point from Mark Kavanagh drew them level at 0-08 to 0-08 after 40 minutes.
But their ill-discipline cost them and with O’Halloran lethal from the placed ball, he kicked Tipperary two points ahead.
McNulty slotted his second of the day to reduce the deficit before McShane produced a piece of magic for the crucial, solitary goal of the game.
Kavanagh blitzed the Tipperary defence and sent McShane in on goal. He kept his nerve to hammer to the net past goalkeeper Evan Comerford.
O’Halloran replied with his seventh point but McNulty was also on target and Tyrone led 1-10 to 0-11 with seven minutes remaining.
A couple of crucial misses from O’Halloran followed as Tipperary's chances mounted and Kavanagh kicked Tyrone into a seemingly unassailable lead with a fine score from the left.
Tipperary captain Colin O’Riordan shot two majestic efforts as time petered out but, despite Cassidy’s sending off for an off-the-ball incident, they couldn’t capitalise and Tyrone held on for victory.
Tyrone: S Fox; R Mullan, P Hampsey, M Cassidy (0-01); C McLaughlin, R Brennan, K McGeary (capt); F Burns, C McShane (1-00); C Meyler (0-01), M Kavanagh (0-02), M Walsh; L Brennan (0-02, 0-02f), D McNulty (0-03, 0-03f), M Bradley (0-02)
Subs: R McGlone for Walsh (half-time), Ruairi Kelly for McShane (59), Peter McKenna for Brennan (71)
Tipperary: E Comerford; K Fahey, J Feehan, C O’Shaughnessy; R Mulcahy, L Boland, B Maher (0-01); S O’Brien, C O’Riordan (capt) (0-02, 0-01f); J Lonergan, I Fahey (0-01), L Casey; K O’Halloran (0-07, 0-06f), J Keane (0-02), P Maher
Sub: John McGrath for P Maher (53)
Referee: Fergal Kelly (Longford)
