Inside Track: Worthy champions Tyrone flattered by margin of victory

A scoreboard that reads 5-16 to 0-17 doesn’t lie. That’s how is finished at Armagh’s Athletic Grounds, Louth trailing many lengths behind a multi-talented Tyrone side in the final of the All-Ireland under-20.

What it hides, however, is that 10 minutes into the second half, Louth were within two points. The ball had just been scrambled off the Tyrone goal-line, and then a minute later, Darragh Dorian tested the strength of the crossbar.

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Had the green flag been raised on either occasion as a follow-up to five unanswered points – a brace coming from Tadhg McDonnell – we might not have seen a different result from the one that unfolded, but there wouldn’t have been such a draught on the scoreboard at the finish.

Tyrone, claiming the title for the second year running and a third in four years, were dominant in all areas, except midfield. Their forwards, Noah Grimes and Eoin McElholm in particular, left the Louth backs gasping, most times taking a route down the middle.

And this deadly duo could take scores as well, finishing with 4-10 between them, all coming from play. That the Red hand production line is well oiled was evidenced in this game, and in the days prior to that, the under-17s winning the provincial title. And adding lustre to a few good days was the seniors’ championship defeat of Donegal.

But good as Tyrone were at the splendid Athletic Grounds, they played second best to the Louth pair, Seán O’Callaghan and James Maguire, especially the former, in the midfield tussle.

We’ve seen these lads pluck them from the sky in previous matches: in this one they were at their very best, and on top of that contributed second points between them. They deserved better from the game.

It’s rare that a man-of-the-match award goes to one of the losing side: O’Callaghan must have been close to bucking the trend.

He’s one of tomorrow’s men, along with Maguire and his brother Tom and another minor Cillian McQuillan. They all play around the middle, which has been restored as the boiler-house following the introduction of the new rules.

Louth led Tyrone early on, playing against a strong breeze, and got back on terms after Tyrone scored the first of their goals. The Ulster champions kicked on after that to lead by five points at the interval.

At this point, Louth were left to wonder what the situation would have been had Tony McDonnell taken a great goal chance after 12 minutes, and goalie Tiernan Markey not misdirected a kick-out.

Meant for wing-full Michael Reid, Markey’s kick went straight to Noah Grimes, and this being a game in which he sparkled, the Tyrone No 13 wasn’t likely to miss.

Two early Tyrone second half points added to Louth concerns, but the game’s trend changed. In the space of about seven or eight minutes, Louth got back on Tyrone’s shoulder, claiming five points and been unlucky not to add a goal or two. And they had the wind in their favour.

After that the game was all about Tyrone, however. Finding a way through the Louth defence with ease, they piled on the pressure, and before Cavan referee, Noel Mooney, called a halt, added 3-6 to their score, all of this despite O’Callaghan and Maguire flying high around the middle.

It’s an exceptional Tyrone team, flattered by the dividing margin, but still totally deserving of their victory.

But if the final didn’t go Louth’s way, the team, along with Fergal Reel and hi management, can derive huge satisfaction from a record-breaking campaign. It included five victories, a first provincial win in 44 years, and after that a place in the final. What’s not to laud about that?

And looking ahead, there’s reason to be confident. Eleven of this team are eligible again next year, and, as is likely, a number will graduate from the current minor side, the 2026 challenge for honours in this grade shouldn’t lack in strength.