Ulster Minor Hurling League Division Two Final

Tyrone 3-14 Monaghan 1-15                  9/4/11

The minor hurlers lost out in Saturday’s Ulster Minor Hurling League Division Two Final, but only after putting up a great battle against Tyrone in Omagh. Having suffered a heavy defeat against the same opposition last week, Monaghan weren’t given a chance in this one but they pushed reigning champions Tyrone all the way. Fergal Rafter returned to the team to hit 1-10, while Brendan McQuaid, Conor McNally and Gareth Brennan also impressed for Monaghan, who sorely missed the injured Micheál Ó Mordha.

Fergal Rafter and Brendan McQuaid were among the scorers as Monaghan raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead early on, but Tyrone drew level at six apiece and two goals in as many minutes by Tommy Lowe late in the first half sent them in at the interval ahead by 2-6 to 0-8.

Despite falling six points behind in the second half, playing against the wind, Monaghan refused to give up and they rallied with Rafter driving a free to the net to help his side turn the game on its head and go two points up. Tyrone finished the stronger, though, as a late goal from Mark Mullan led them to a hard-earned win.