By Niall McCoy

National Football League Division One North

Tyrone v Monaghan

Saturday, O’Neills Healy Park, 7.30pm

AFTER opening day blues, both Tyrone and Monaghan showed great heart to earn good results in round two.

Monaghan were big outsiders heading to Ballybofey, especially after a meek showing against Armagh. However, they were very unfortunate just to leave with a point in the 4-11 to 1-20 draw.

Incredibly, Seamus McEnaney’s side carved out 10 goal chances and surely would have won the game had Niall Kearns’s effort not rebounded off the crossbar with just a few minutes remaining.

One player who did take his chances was Scotstown attacker Conor McCarthy. In a 21-minute spell, he ripped the Tir Chonaill defence apart with cuts, feints and some nice finishing to secure a memorable hat-trick.

There has long been a belief among members of the Scotstown club that there is a special player waiting to emerge, but that has not been shown frequently enough. Another big performance is required in Omagh.

Monaghan will also be boosted by the return of Kieran Hughes from suspension. The player was sent off after the final whistle against Armagh and given that Tyrone are not flooding their defence, don’t be surprised to see him take up a spot on the edge of the square.

McEnaney remains suspended due to break the Covid-19 restrictions, so he will not be in Omagh. He may instruct stand-in David McCague to give Conor McManus a starting jersey. ‘Mansy’ enjoys playing against Tyrone and after cameos off the bench in the last two games, scoring the fourth major against Donegal, he could be thrown in here from the off.

The new Tyrone management team of Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher are already experiencing headaches, but they are of the good variety as a raft of attackers have put their hands up for selection.

Darren McCurry didn’t feature in the loss to Donegal but hit seven points against Armagh. Mark Bradley has hit 1-2 in two cameos from the bench. Darragh Canavan is really looking the part while Paul Donaghy, although quieter against the Orchard county, now has 14 points in two games. Throw into the mix that Cathal McShane remains absent and it’s no wonder the Red Hands are opting for a bit more attacking impetus.

This should follow the line of entertaining Division One North clashes, especially with plenty on the line. Both sides can earn semi-final spots and both can be left worrying about a relegation play-off.

Tyrone showed enough against Armagh to suggest that they are learning fast under their new management team, and they should secure safety.

Verdict: Tyrone

22 May 2021; Conor McCarthy of Monaghan gets past Donegal players, from left, Brendan McCole, Daire Ó Baoill, and Ryan McHugh on his way to score his side’s third goal, and his hat-trick, during the Allianz Football League Division 1 North Round 2 match between Donegal and Monaghan at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, Donegal. Photo by Piaras Ó MídheachSportsfile