Gaelic Games

Tyrone make it three from three to go clear at top

Substitute Pádraig McNulty’s goal proves the difference between the sides

Pádraig McNulty came off the bench to score a goal against Laois. Photograph: Cathal Nooanan/Inpho
Pádraig McNulty came off the bench to score a goal against Laois. Photograph: Cathal Nooanan/Inpho
Sun Feb 28 2016 - 20:24

Laois 0-14 Tyrone 1-14

Tyrone maintained their unbeaten record with a three-point victory over Laois.

Within three minutes of the throw-in Tyrone were two points to the good with points from Mark Bradley and Ronan O'Neill, but Laois responded with points from Paul Cahillane and Gary Walsh.

Tyrone went back in front with a Barry Tierney point. Gary Walsh then equalised, and two great points from play from John O'Loughlin and Kieran Lillis saw the home team two points clear after 18 minutes. Tyrone narrowed the gap with a point by Darren McCurry, but John O'Loughlin soon added his third point in the 20th minute.

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For the remainder of the half the visitors took control, adding four great points to lead at the interval 0-8 to 0-6. Tyrone returned and hit Laois for four unanswered points.

John O’Loughlin opened his Laois account, but Tyrone hit back for another three points to lead 0-14 to 0-8 after 51 minutes.

The game’s most decisive score came from a great move out of defence by Tiernan McCann, who then picked out substitute Pádraig McNulty and he gave the Laois goalkeeper no chance.

Laois’s Donie Kingston added two late points to leave just a goal separating the teams but time ran out.

Next weekend Laois make the journey to Irvinstown to take on pointless Fermanagh.

TYRONE: M O'Neill; A McCrory, C McCarron, H P McGeary; T McCann (0-1), J McMahon, B Tierney (0-1); C Kavanagh, M Donnelly (0-4); N Sludden (0-2), M Bradley (0-1), CMeyler; D McCurry (0-2), S Kavanagh, R O'Neill (0-3).

Subs : J Monroe for B Tierney (46 mins), P Harte for C Meyler (49 mins), P McNulty (1-0) for C Kavanagh (54 mins), R Donnelly for M Bradley (50 mins), L Brennan for D McCurry (57 mins).

LAOIS: G Brody; R Kehoe, Paul Cotter, D Seale; D Strong, J O'Loughlin (0-3), G Dillon; B Quigley, K Lillis (0-1); N Donoher, D Kingston (0-5), C Meredith; P Cahillane (0-1), G Walsh (0-2), C Meredith.

Subs: Ruairi O'Connor (0-1) for G Walsh (44 mins), P Kingston (0-1) for P Cahillane (59 mins), E Costelloe for P Cotter (39 mins), E Costelloe for N Donoher (65 mins).

Referee: Pádraig O'Sullivan (Kerry)