Hurling: Casey leads fine Tyrone charge against Louth

A second half masterclass from Damien Casey saw confident Tyrone ease past Louth in Division 3A of the league on Sunday afternoon in Omagh.
Sean Og Grogan slots the ball into the vacant Louth net for Tyrone's only goal of the game. INTT1215-700DCASean Og Grogan slots the ball into the vacant Louth net for Tyrone's only goal of the game. INTT1215-700DCA
Sean Og Grogan slots the ball into the vacant Louth net for Tyrone's only goal of the game. INTT1215-700DCA

Casey had a quiet first half by his own high standards but proved deadly accurate from both play and placed balls as Tyrone cemented their position at the head of the table.

Mattie Lennon’s charges got off to a fantastic start racing into a five point lead at the beginning of the game before being pegged back by the ‘Wee County’.

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A goal 20 seconds into the second half gave Louth their own lead of the game before Tyrone, inspired by Eoghan Ruadh man Damien Casey, took control.

Casey struck 0-10 in total, 0-8 in the second half, for his side and he was ably assisted by Conor and Sean Og Grogan in attack and Justin and Aidan Kelly in midfield.

It was a goal from Sean Og Grogan four minutes from time that eventually sealed the victory for Tyrone, a lovely ball inside from Gerard Gilmore allowed the Eire Og attacker to fire to the Louth net.

Tyrone began in blistering fashion with a pointed free in the opening 80 seconds of the game from Damien Casey. Just a minute later he added a point from play, to extend the lead.

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Justin Kelly and Gerard Gilmore added points from play of their own as Tyrone excelled despite playing into the stiff Omagh breeze.

Conor Grogan got his name on the scoresheet with a point from play before the lively Liam Dwan got the opening point of the game for Louth with 13 minutes on the clock.

Grogan hit the target again for Tyrone before the Louth men hit the Tyrone net.

Confusion in the Tyrone defence allowed Louth’s Gavin Kane fire a snapshot past Tyrone keeper John Devlin.

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Ricky Kelly entered the game as a blood sub for Christopher Cross after six minutes and made his presence felt in the 18th minute as fired over from 25 metres.

Conor Grogan added another point for Tyrone before Darren O’Hanrahan responded for Louth.

The game was fairly evenly matched at this stage and the teams continued to exchange points with Justin Kelly and the ever accurate Liam Dwan on target for the Wee County.

While Tyrone started the half well they ended it poorly with two more points coming for Diarmuid Mac Carthaigh’s side, Shane Callan and Liam Dwan both on target in the closing minutes of the half.

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Louth began the second half in frantic fashion hitting the Tyrone net after just 20 seconds, Gerard Smyth firing to the back of the net.

A minute later corner forward Andrew Mackin pointed for Louth to leave Tyrone further adrift.

Credit to Mattie Lennon’s men though though dug deep though and inspired by their captain Damien Casey they began their fightback.

Two points from Casey, one from play and one from a free helped to get Tyrone back on terms.

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Casey was aided again by Shea McKiver who pointed for the Red Hands as they began to build momentum.

The Tyrone centre half forward added two more points with a couple of lovely languid strokes over the crossbar.

Indeed Tyrone would rattle of seven consecutive points with Casey slashing over a 65 and then adding a massive point from play.Dwan pointed for his side but Tyrone’s attack was relentless. They added 1-4 before the referee blew the final whistle.

Casey would add another three points including a free from a massive 80 metres out.

In saying that Tyrone only moved out of range for Louth when Sean Og Grogan found the Louth net.

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