So you think it’s only January.
So you think it’s only the Dr McKenna Cup.
Think again when Derry and Tyrone come face to face in the finale of the pre-season competition in Ulster that ends with a 13-man Tyrone side winning the game after extra time by 1-22 to 1-17.
The old rivals lined up against each other in last night’s clash at the Athletic Grounds that had pretty much everything you’d want from a championship clash with good scores, red cards, hard hits, and lots and lots for the crowd to get angry, and passionate about.
Tyrone saw Cathal McCarron red carded and they also lost Ronan McNamee to two yellow cards, while Derry manager Damien Barton was also dismissed after getting involved in an on-the-field incident.
That all came later in the game, but Derry were left aggrieved after key midfielder Brendan Rogers’ match lasted just a few seconds after a hefty challenge right at throw in.
Wishing @BrendanRogers6 & @elynn99 speedy recoveries from last nights battle. Brendan required 14 stitches #accident pic.twitter.com/Yb206pDQ70
— Ben McGuckin (@BMG_11) January 24, 2016
Enda Lynn left the field late in the game after suffering what is believed to be a broken ankle, but most fans were angry at the seeming unwarranted nature of the challenge on Rogers and a lack of action by referee Noel Mooney
@SeamieCoyle @OurLogie there was no ball near Brendan Rogers at the start!!!
— Ciaran Brown (@chalkie1888) January 24, 2016
The referee in the Derry & tyrone game tonight pic.twitter.com/m4JafkpNTS
— Paul Kelly (@paul_kelly26) January 23, 2016
Cynical, or just a hard hit?
