Tyrone's goals closes book on pretenders

Tyrone were firm favourites for this title, and that was never disputed. But anybody passing through Mullingar on Saturday would have thought otherwise. With more shades of green than even St Patrick's Day could throw up, this game was all about Limerick - win or lose.

By the time the ball was thrown in at Cusack Park, no one in the massive Limerick support doubted that such mantles have too often proved fallible. Sure, Tyrone had all the strength of an All-Ireland winning minor side of two years back but their guys had thrice made history this season. And they weren't going to miss the last chapter.

In the end, history took the predictable course. At times, the Tyrone class outshone even the bright sunshine and were it not for Limerick's stern refusal to wilt, the margin could have been much greater. One glance at the match notes isolated the difference. Up front, Richard Thornton had two goals and a point, and Mark Harte four points from play. The half-back line of Joe Campbell, Brian McGuigan and Stephen O'Neill shared a goal and seven points between them. And a big asterisk beside wing back Declan McCrossan marked him out as the outstanding player on the field for much of the afternoon. For Limerick, Colm Hickey stood out for his free-taking prowess. But the rest of the scorers were way too scattered, and the lack of goals was most crucial.

Afterwards, it felt a little strange for Limerick manager Liam Kearns. All he has talked about this season has been pride and joy and how they managed to defy the odds. "Obviously it's very disappointing," he said. "But we were definitely beaten by a better team. And it takes nothing away from our achievement this year. I'm still just as proud of this side."

"Goals will nearly always win matches and Tyrone got the goals. We just didn't get the breaks around the goals, although we still kicked some good scores and kept fighting until the end. But I suppose you guys have been proved right at last."

The game's major turning point occurred just moments into the second half. Limerick at that stage were very much in touch, trailing 1-4 to 0-6 after conceding the first of Thornton's goals midway through the first half.

When the ball was popped in for the restart, Jason Stokes sent in a superb pass from midfield. It landed straight in front of Brian Begley and, charging towards goal, he cracked the ball off the crossbar. It was to be Limerick's best goal chance.

Tyrone, aware of the let-off, responded with open fire. Within minutes, a combination between Eoin Mulligan and Harte yielded a second goal for Thornton. Limerick looked rattled and were then crushed. Two minutes after Thornton's finish, Mulligan chipped a ball into the corner. It bounced off the post and into the hands of McGuigan. Goal number three and end of contest.

"We needed to get in front in the second (half) and force them to ask harder questions," noted Kearns. "Brian's chance was a good one but it just didn't happen. Still, second best team in Ireland is something to think about."

To their credit, Limerick kept their heads up until the end. Stokes and John Galvin kept battling around midfield and Hickey made the most of every free. Yet as was the case throughout the hour, Tyrone were moving on a different level and never once came under real pressure.

It was still a tense affair for joint Tyrone manager Fr Gerard McAleer, who along with Mickey Harte brought similar success at minor level. "We came to win but knew it wouldn't be easy," he said. "There was some quality football and I'm happy we conceded no goals. But we put a lot of emphasis on the under-21 team because it is a springboard to senior level.

"I'm not making any great predictions about this team at senior level, although I would like to see this team stick together. In another couple years, then, there's no reason why they can't be knocking on the door of the senior championship."

So the 7,366 attendance - overwhelmingly Limerick - made their way out quite placidly. For this year then, the dream is dead. Long live the dream.

Tyrone: P McConnell; G Devlin, D O'Hanlon, M McGee; C McGinley, C Gourley, D McCrossan; C McAnallen, K Hughes; J Campbell (0-3, one free), B McGuigan (1-2), S O'Neill (0- 2); M Harte (0-4), R Thornton (2-1), E Muilligan. Subs: E McGinley for McAnallen (51 mins), A Ball for McCrossan (53 mins).

Limerick: M Keogh; M O'Riordan, P Fitzgerald, B Geary; C Mullane, S Lucey, T Stack; J Stokes (0-1), J Galvin; P Ahern (0-3), M Culhane, T Carroll (0-1); C Fitzgerald, B Begley (0- 1), C Hickey (0-7, five frees). Subs: S Byrnes for Culhane (37 mins).

Referee: S McCormack (Meath).