TYRONE SENT OUT a Championship warning as they capped their unbeaten National Football League campaign by clinching the Division 2 title.
Ronan O’Neill’s second-half goal proved to be the decisive moment in an open and energetic curtain-raiser at Croke Park, and a dagger to Cavan’s gutsy challenge.
Terry Hyland’s side arrived in HQ with their return to Division 1 already secured, but a first win over their Ulster rivals in league or championship since 1997 remained elusive
They’ll look to bounce back in an Ulster quarter-final against Armagh in five weeks, while Tyrone will set their sights on Derry on the back of a five-point win and an impressive spring run.
Tyrone led 0-11 to 0-8 at the end of a first half in which the sides were level five times, and there were still three points between the sides when O’Neill struck the killer blow in the 49th minute.
Mattie Donnelly did superbly to pick out the Omagh man, and after spinning away from full-back Killian Clarke, his finish left Raymond Galligan with no chance.
Cavan refused to roll over and responded with three unanswered points to bring them back within a goal.
But Tyrone kicked on again in the final quarter as O’Neill, Donnelly and the dangerous Connor McAliskey pointed to make their lead safe before Donnelly was sent off for a second yellow card late on.
Tyrone finished the afternoon with a brilliant spread of eight scorers, led by O’Neill who posted 1-3 while strike partner McAliskey weighed in with 0-5 of his own.
They were handed a huge boost when Peter Harte, fit again following a shoulder injury, was added to the starting line-up shortly before throw-in. He was the outstanding performer in the first half, sparking most of Tyrone’s best moves from deep.
Sean Cavanagh, making a remarkable 220th appearance, was detailed as the target man on the edge of the Cavan square early on and it was his point in the sixth minute that had the sides level at 0-2 apiece.
He combined with Harte a moment later to set up O’Neill for the first of his scores, while it was his quickly-taken free that set man of the match Tiernan McCann loose to make it 0-5 to 0-3 on 16 minutes.
Cavan moved Michael Argue out wide in a bid to buy him some space with Justin McMahon in close attention, but by and large, the Tyrone defenders had the better of their opposite numbers throughout.
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Argue did kick a fine point on 18 minutes to equalise at 0-5 apiece, and after Donnelly and Harte pointed in quick succession, Dara McVeety and goalkeeper Halligan did likewise to ensure that Cavan were never too far adrift.
But it was Tyrone who finished that half strongest, outscoring Cavan by 0-4 to 0-1 in the final 10 minutes, and but for some wasteful shooting they would have stretched their lead even further following the restart.
Instead the first score of that second period fell to Cavan skipper Gearoid McKiernan who cut the deficit to two.
But if there were any Tyrone nerves, they didn’t show. McAliskey scored a point either side of McVeety before O’Neill pounced for the all-important goal.
Cavan immediately reeled off three points through McKiernan, Conor Moynagh and David Givney to give their fans fresh hope with a quarter of an hour to play.
But as soon as they had prised the door open, Tyrone slammed it shut with O’Neill, Donnelly and McAliskey responding in kind.
It could have been even better for McAliskey whose chance was a glorious one for Tyrone’s second goal, but his spectacular volley zipped over the wrong side of the crossbar.
Donnelly was shown to the line late on but it was too late to help Cavan put the brakes on an impressive Tyrone.
Scorers for Tyrone: R O’Neill 1-3 (0-1f), C McAliskey 0-5, S Cavanagh 0-3, M Donnelly 0-2, R Brennan, T McCann, P Harte, M Bradley (0-1f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cavan: G McKiernan 0-3 (0-1f), D McVeety 0-2, M Reilly, T Corr, L Buchanan, M Argue, R Galligan (0-1 45), S Johnston (0-1f), C Moynagh, D Givney, E Keating, J McLaughlin 0-1 each.
25. Conor Meyler (Omagh) for Sludden (50)
26. Barry Tierney (Omagh) for McMahon (50)
12. Richie Donnelly (Trillick) for Bradley (56)
17. Lee Brennan (Trillick) for O’Neill (57)
22. Kieran McGeary (Pomeroy) for McAliskey (62)
18. Frank Burns (Pomeroy) for McCarron (71)
O'Neill goal clinches Division 2 title for impressive Tyrone
Tyrone 1-17
Cavan 0-15
— Niall Kelly reports from Croke Park
TYRONE SENT OUT a Championship warning as they capped their unbeaten National Football League campaign by clinching the Division 2 title.
Ronan O’Neill’s second-half goal proved to be the decisive moment in an open and energetic curtain-raiser at Croke Park, and a dagger to Cavan’s gutsy challenge.
Terry Hyland’s side arrived in HQ with their return to Division 1 already secured, but a first win over their Ulster rivals in league or championship since 1997 remained elusive
They’ll look to bounce back in an Ulster quarter-final against Armagh in five weeks, while Tyrone will set their sights on Derry on the back of a five-point win and an impressive spring run.
Tyrone led 0-11 to 0-8 at the end of a first half in which the sides were level five times, and there were still three points between the sides when O’Neill struck the killer blow in the 49th minute.
Mattie Donnelly did superbly to pick out the Omagh man, and after spinning away from full-back Killian Clarke, his finish left Raymond Galligan with no chance.
Cavan refused to roll over and responded with three unanswered points to bring them back within a goal.
But Tyrone kicked on again in the final quarter as O’Neill, Donnelly and the dangerous Connor McAliskey pointed to make their lead safe before Donnelly was sent off for a second yellow card late on.
Tyrone finished the afternoon with a brilliant spread of eight scorers, led by O’Neill who posted 1-3 while strike partner McAliskey weighed in with 0-5 of his own.
They were handed a huge boost when Peter Harte, fit again following a shoulder injury, was added to the starting line-up shortly before throw-in. He was the outstanding performer in the first half, sparking most of Tyrone’s best moves from deep.
Sean Cavanagh, making a remarkable 220th appearance, was detailed as the target man on the edge of the Cavan square early on and it was his point in the sixth minute that had the sides level at 0-2 apiece.
He combined with Harte a moment later to set up O’Neill for the first of his scores, while it was his quickly-taken free that set man of the match Tiernan McCann loose to make it 0-5 to 0-3 on 16 minutes.
Cavan moved Michael Argue out wide in a bid to buy him some space with Justin McMahon in close attention, but by and large, the Tyrone defenders had the better of their opposite numbers throughout.
Argue did kick a fine point on 18 minutes to equalise at 0-5 apiece, and after Donnelly and Harte pointed in quick succession, Dara McVeety and goalkeeper Halligan did likewise to ensure that Cavan were never too far adrift.
But it was Tyrone who finished that half strongest, outscoring Cavan by 0-4 to 0-1 in the final 10 minutes, and but for some wasteful shooting they would have stretched their lead even further following the restart.
Instead the first score of that second period fell to Cavan skipper Gearoid McKiernan who cut the deficit to two.
But if there were any Tyrone nerves, they didn’t show. McAliskey scored a point either side of McVeety before O’Neill pounced for the all-important goal.
Cavan immediately reeled off three points through McKiernan, Conor Moynagh and David Givney to give their fans fresh hope with a quarter of an hour to play.
But as soon as they had prised the door open, Tyrone slammed it shut with O’Neill, Donnelly and McAliskey responding in kind.
It could have been even better for McAliskey whose chance was a glorious one for Tyrone’s second goal, but his spectacular volley zipped over the wrong side of the crossbar.
Donnelly was shown to the line late on but it was too late to help Cavan put the brakes on an impressive Tyrone.
Scorers for Tyrone: R O’Neill 1-3 (0-1f), C McAliskey 0-5, S Cavanagh 0-3, M Donnelly 0-2, R Brennan, T McCann, P Harte, M Bradley (0-1f) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cavan: G McKiernan 0-3 (0-1f), D McVeety 0-2, M Reilly, T Corr, L Buchanan, M Argue, R Galligan (0-1 45), S Johnston (0-1f), C Moynagh, D Givney, E Keating, J McLaughlin 0-1 each.
Tyrone
1. Michael O’Neill (Clonoe)
2. Aidan McCrory (Errigal Ciarán)
3. Ronan McNamee (Aghyaran)
4. Cathal McCarron (Dromore)
5. Rory Brennan (Trillick)
6. Justin McMahon (Omagh)
7. Tiernan McCann (Killyclogher)
8. Colm Cavanagh (Moy)
9. Mattie Donnelly (Trillick)
10. Niall Sludden (Dromore)
11. Mark Bradley (Killyclogher)
20. Peter Harte (Errigan Ciarán)
13. Connor McAliskey (Clonoe)
14. Sean Cavanagh (capt, Moy)
15. Ronan O’Neill (Omagh)
Substitutes:
25. Conor Meyler (Omagh) for Sludden (50)
26. Barry Tierney (Omagh) for McMahon (50)
12. Richie Donnelly (Trillick) for Bradley (56)
17. Lee Brennan (Trillick) for O’Neill (57)
22. Kieran McGeary (Pomeroy) for McAliskey (62)
18. Frank Burns (Pomeroy) for McCarron (71)
Cavan
1. Raymond Galligan (Lacken)
2. Padraig Faulkner (Kingscourt)
3. Killian Clarke (Shercock)
4. Jason McLoughlin (Shannon Gaels)
5. Ciarán Brady (Arvagh)
6. Conor Moynagh (Drumgoon)
7. Killian Brady (Mullahoran)
8. Tomas Corr (Denn)
9. Liam Buchanan (Ballymachugh)
10. Dara McVeety (Crosserlough)
11. Gearoid McKiernan (Swanlinbar)
12. Martin Reilly (Killygarry)
13. David Givney (Mountnugent)
14. Michael Argue (Bailieborough)
15. Sean Johnston (Cavan Gaels)
Substitutes:
26. Niall Murray (Cavan Gaels) for Brady (25)
23. Eugene Keating (Kilmacud Crokes) for Johnston (46)
17. Cian Mackey for Buchanan (bc, 47)
25. Rory Dunne for Argue (53)
20. Jack Brady for Moynagh (66)
24. Fergal Flanagan for C Brady (66)
Referee: Ciaran Branagan (Down)
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