TYRONE 2000 AND 2001
On Sunday last ULGFA honoured the Tyrone teams of 200- and 2001.
2000
The 2000 team led by Sean O Kane, Aidan Connolly and Barry Grimes were the winners of the first ever Ulster senior decider. The first Ulster senior final was played in Clones on Sunday 30th July 2000 between Monaghan and Tyrone. On the day Tyrone shell shocked favourites Monaghan to win by three points. Many will remember this day forever and they will remember in particular the magnificent 1-07 scored by Eilis Gormley and the fine contributions from newcomers Dolores Hughes and Martina Doyle amongst others. Highlight of the day was captain Lisa McGirr’s magnificent goal which capped a great display from her and was perhaps one of the best individual strikes Clones has ever seen.
Claire Mc Garvey, Lynda Donnelly, Lynette Hughes and Eilish Gormley were named on the 2000 All Star team and Arlene Mc Closkey received a replacement All Star.
2000 Squad
Hayley Boyle, Arlene Mc Closkey, Maura Kelly, Martina Doyle, Claire Mc Garvey, Siobhan Mc Garvey, Lynda Donnelly, Ciara Strain, Lisa Mc Girr, Dolores Hughes, Lynette Hughes, Shauna Mc Girr, Caroline Kelly, Eilis Gormley, Connie Fox, Eileen Mc Elroy, Katriona Murphy, Maeve Mc Gurk, Ciara Maxwell, Caroline Mc Grath, Tina Donnelly, Nuala Mc Garvey, Claire Mc Cann, Aisling Hagan, Michaela Doherty and Claire Nugent
2001
Sean O Kane had stepped away after the 2000 win however Aidan Connolly and Barry Grimes remained at the helm.
Tyrone reached the 2001 final courtesy of a 1-12 to 0-9 semi-final victory over Down. The game was poor, but the performances of Lynette Hughes (0-9) and Michaela Downey (0-8) were noteworthy. The win set up a second consecutive final with neighbours Monaghan.
The final was played in Clones on 12th August. A perfect combination of youth and experience and strong team spirit tipped the balance in Tyrone’s favour leaving Monaghan more than a little shocked for the second year in a row. The sides were level with four minutes remaining when Tyrone were awarded free. The resulting kick found its way to Shauna Mc Girr who sent over and break Monaghan hearts. Full time score Tyrone 1-7 Monaghan 0-9.
In 2001 there were replacement All Stars for Lisa Mc Girr, Siobhan Mc Garvey and Clare Mc Garvey. Lynette Hughes was named Ulster GAA Writers player of the Year.
2001 Squad
Martina Glackin, Aisling Hagan, Siobhan Mc Garvey, Martina Doyle, Claire Mc Garvey, Connie Fox, Nuala Mc Cartan, Arlene Mc Closkey, Lisa Mc Girr, Cathy Mc Cullagh, Dolores Hughes, Ciara Maxwell, Nuala Mc Garvey, Lynette Hughes, Shauna Mc Girr, Hayley Boyle, Anne Donnelly, Mairead Mc Cann, Jane-Marie Tierney, Lucy Meehan, Sinead Mc Laughlin, Natasha Rushe, Julie Conroy, Tina Donnelly, Una Mc Kay and Geraldine O Neill
