DOWN FALL TO O’NEILL COUNTY

DOWN U20 0-11 TYRONE 3-15 AT ST MARY’S BURREN 19.3.25

All-Ireland champions Tyrone got the defence of their provincial and national titles off to a positive start with a 3-15 to 0-11 win over Down at Burren.

Ten different players go their names on the score-sheet for a Red Hand side starting with half a dozen of last year’s triumphant team.

Down dominated the opening 10 minutes, going four clear, with three of their points coming from play from attacking goalkeeper DJ Farrell, who sent over a two-pointer.

But the defending champions began to get on top at midfield through Conor O’Neill, and scores from Noah Grines, Darragh Donagh, and Ruairi McCullagh closing the gap, before O’Neill smashed home a 17^th minute goal to give them the lead.

Scores from Eoghan Travers and Barra McEvoy brought the Mourne lads level, and they went in at the break deadlocked on 0-7 to 1-4.

Down’s Barra McEvoy gets away from Tyrone half-forward Matthew Quinn at Burren on Wednesday night Picture: Brendan Monaghan Sports/DNA

Tyrone stepped up the tempo in the third quarter, with senior panellist Eoin McElholm coming off the bench to nail a couple of scores, and they were well on their waY when Liam Og Mossey netted their second goal.

Down were chasing the game, managing just a couple of points from Travers and Callan Morgan, and the Red Hands sealed the win with a third goal, this time from substitute Michael McElhatton six minutes from the end.