A last minute scrambled goal from David O'Callaghan snatched a 1-12 to 0-15 draw for Dublin in the All-Ireland Minor Football final to deny a Tyrone team that must be regretting their six first half wides. The turning point of the game had seemed to be Dublin captain Declan O'Mahony's penalty miss in the 26th minute of the first half, which was brilliantly saved by Tyrone keeper John Devine. From that time on, Dublin's confidence seemed to slump as Tyrone's midfield duo of Peter Donnelly and Sean Cavanagh began to stamp their authority across the midfield.
But Dublin forwards David O'Callaghan and Johnny Noonan tormented the Tyrone defence in the second half, and the Northerners were never allowed to open up a truly convincing lead despite threatening to run away with the game on several occasions.
Tyrone had started the second half in storming fashion, opening up a three-point lead with some good scores but Dublin managed to level the score with ten minutes to go. O'Callaghan scored the equalising point, wisely opting to put the ball over rather than choosing the more risky goal option. In the last five minutes, Tyrone edged ahead to restore their three-point cushion. The Leinster side finally looked dead and buried.
Dublin desperately needed a goal to rescue their chances. The impressive O'Callaghan went up for a high ball into the Tyrone box. As it broke loose, O'Callaghan got a toe onto the ball before a Tyrone defender's valiant attempt at a clearance found its way into the back of the net, much to Dublin's relief. Tyrone must now pick themselves up for the replay, while Dublin can count themselves lucky to have another chance.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
