Tyrone 1-20
Cavan 0-7
Paul Fitzpatrick reports from Clones
AT HALF-TIME in a sun-splashed Clones, a couple of merry-looking Tyrone fans engaged in an impromptu penalty shoot-out at the town goals. The crowd, seeking some sort of diversion, really got into it.
And one couldn’t blame them for looking for a little entertainment because by that stage, the match was effectively over. Tyrone were 0-12 to 0-3 ahead having out-classed the Breffni men in every department.
It became evident almost immediately that Cavan did not have the ability to break down the Tyrone defence by running the ball but the Blues did not seem to have any other game plan in reserve.
So, they hogged the sidelines, patiently worked the ball through the hands and looked to spread the blanket but the Red Hands steadfastly cut off all avenues to goal and, at the other end, cut through the Cavan defence with alarming ease.
The best goal chance of the half fell to Brian Kennedy, Ray Galligan doing well to turn his shot on to the post but, true to form, Niall Morgan nailed the resulting 45. That made it 0-4 to 0-2 but already, the message was clear: there would be no let-up.
Cavan opened the scoring with a well-struck Niall Murray free but Kennedy equalised with an easy score before Morgan stroked over a free from 55 metres.
Gearoid McKiernan kicked a free for Cavan to tie it but once Niall Sludden curled in a lovely point, Mickey Harte’s men had a lead they would never relinquish.
They registered six points in succession between the 16th and 26th minutes and after that, it was all cosmetic. Morgan (45), Colm Cavanagh and the impressive Cathal McShane landed the first three and then Darren McCurry popped up with a quickfire hat-trick of white flags.
There was no respite for Mickey Graham’s side, who must have had a depressing sense of déjà vu following their thumping at the same venue in the Ulster final against Donegal 13 days ago. On that occasion, at least, Cavan made a game of it in the second half; this time, they could not manage even that much as Tyrone, clearly with a gear in reserve, eased home.
Sub Conor Madden had poached a super point for Cavan but three frees (two from McShane and one from Peter Harte) rounded off the first-half scoring and the second half was a procession.
While Gerard Smith got Cavan off to a decent start with a fine point, Tyrone went about their business with impressive poise once more. Graham could be heard exhorting his players to push up but his calls fell on deaf ears as Tyrone continued to dominate.
Sludden and Harte added scores and after a sweet pass from Kieran McGeary, McShane swivelled for an outstanding point. He soon tacked on another to make it 0-17 to 0-5 and then came the coup de grace, sub Ben McDonnell out-fielding Cavan goalkeeper Ray Galligan and tucking away for the game’s only goal with 10 minutes to play.
Conall McCann and Harte, with a brace, completed the rout with a Niall Murray free and a consolation effort from the otherwise-subdued Dara McVeety all Cavan could muster.
Tyrone march on to the Super 8s with a spring in their step and considerable momentum. For Cavan, a long autumn and winter awaits after a season which promised so much ended with two drubbings at the home of Ulster football.
Scorers for Tyrone: Cathal McShane 0-6 (0-4f), Peter Harte 0-4 (0-3f), Darren McCurry 0-3, Ben McDonnell 1-0, Niall Morgan (0-1f, 0-1 ’45), Niall Sludden 0-2 each, Colm Cavanagh, Brian Kennedy, Conall McCann 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cavan: Gearoid McKiernan, Niall Murray 0-2 (0-2f) each, Dara McVeety, Gerard Smith, Conor Madden 0-1 each.
Tyrone
1. Niall Morgan (Edendork)
2. Hugh Pat McGeary (Pomeroy)
3. Ronan McNamee (Aghyaran)
4. Rory Brennan (Trillick)
5. Michael Cassidy (Ardboe)
6. Kieran McGeary (Pomeroy)
7. Frank Burns (Pomeroy)
8. Colm Cavanagh (Moy)
9. Brian Kennedy (Derrylaughan)
10. Matthew Donnelly (Trilick)
11. Niall Sludden (Dromore)
12. Peter Harte (Errigal Chiaran)
13. Darren McCurry (Edendork)
14. Cathal McShane (Owen Roes)
15. Conor Meyler (Omagh)
Subs
Kyle Coney (Ardboe) for McCurry (49)
Padraig Hampsey for HP McGeary (50)
Michael McKernan for Cassidy (51)
Ben McDonnell (Errigal Chiaran) for K McGeary (56)
Conall McCann (Killyclogher) for Sludden (61)
Richard Donnelly (Trillick) for McShane (63)
Cavan
1. Raymond Galligan (Lacken Celtic)
2. Jason McLoughlin (Shannon Gaels)
3. Padraig Faulkner (Kingscourt Stars)
4. Conor Moynagh (Drumgoon Eire Óg)
5. Conor Rehill (Crosserlough)
6. Killian Clarke (Shercock)
7. Ciaran Brady (Arva)
8. Conor Brady (Gowna)
9. Gearoid McKiernan (Swanlinbar St Mary’s)
10. Niall Murray (Cavan Gaels)
11. Dara McVeety (Crosserlough)
12. Gerard Smith (Lavey)
17. Barry Fortune (Cavan Gaels)
14. Cian Mackey (Casterahan)
15. Martin Reilly (Killygarry)
Subs
Conor Madden (Gowna) for Rehill (22 mins)
Oisin Kiernan (Castlerahan) for McLoughlin (33)
Caoimhin O’Reilly (Butlersbridge) for Ciaran Brady (h/t)
Stephen Murray (Cavan Gaels) for Reilly (h/t)
Thomas Galligan (Lacken Celtic) for Clarke (BC, 48)
Killian Brady (Mullahoran) for Faulkner (56)
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The back door always suits Tyrone, do the plan to peak for mid July or do they learn more for earlier Ulster defeat?
Really don’t understand the Peter harte black card. Set to miss the next game because of it I believe. Again I’d imagine it should be rescinded on appeal. Job done, bigger test away to the rossies next week.
@Roberts Mel: god help them .. they will be rag dolled couldn’t understand the peter harte black card .. another bad referee today .
Galway dirt no harm they’re out.
C U Next Tuesdays Tyrone.
Referee favored Tyrone throughout the game, you couldn’t put a hand on them and he was blowing a free. He didn’t beat Cavan but some of his calls were shocking. They need to be held accountable.
@Allen Durkin: how cavan finished with 15 is beyond me. Mcveety could have walked twice. Niall sudden got booked for a cavan man blocking his run. Peter harte got black carded for absolutely nothing. Tyrone a perfectly good point ruled wide when it went straight threw the middle of the posts. Ref was poor but cavans indiscipline in the tackle was shocking
@Roberts Mel: sudden grabbed the cavan player and tried to get him sent off skumbagg
@Roberts Mel: Killian Clarke was taken out of it in front of the ref and he waved him to get up. It was comical. Typical Tyrone and some of your supporters in the crowd were brazen and brash. But I suppose it’s Tyrone, you expect that from them.
@Allen Durkin: I am looking forward to them being beaten. they represent all that is bad with football
@Allen Durkin: jaysus what game where u watching
@John O Reilly: at the game were you John?
@Allen Durkin: that’s us, just the big bad northerners..What exactly was typical Tyrone? The fact that after a 16 point hammering your having a go at the referee and opposition fans says it all. Maybe looking at how pathetic your own side were would be best
@Roberts Mel: watched it on TV……saw it replayed a few times. Commentator mentioned it was a tactic often used by Tyrone. I despise cheats
@John O Reilly: Cavan man took him clean out of it. That wasn’t the commentator that was just those voices in your head. I’ve watched the game since coming home, didn’t actually even show a replay of the incident nor did the commentator or dick clerkin mention it! Maybe you watched it on a different station?
@John O Reilly: yeah I’ve actually just rewinded it to see the incident again, one replay that you can just see sudden hitting the ground after contact and no mention of it being a tactic Tyrone use.
@Roberts Mel: no, the ref didn’t beat us. Tyrone did. What I said was, some of his decisions were shocking.
@Allen Durkin: was shocking how none of the officials picked up on mcveety not once but twice when he should have saw red
@Allen Durkin: Bad referee or not, Cavan wer shocking today. That’s what u shud b complaining about! Cud only imagine what Dublin would have done to them in the Super 8s if they had have got through. Easily beaten today by a far superior team. Wer along way off the top tier of teams unfortunately, and I hope getting to the Ulster final this year doesn’t mask that.
@Roberts Mel: I’d assume you saw it on Sky Mel? Where Sludden wrapped his arm around the Cavan player and rolled to the ground. The one where the commentary agreed both before the slow motion replay and again afterwards that the ref had made the right call and said that it was a common tactic in recent times.
@KD: you mean the one where the slow motion replay simply shows sudden hit the deck and they mention it being a common tactic in the game, not a common tactic by Tyrone? I felt sudden was fouled as did others round me. Dont suppose you wish to comment on mcveety? Peter hartes ludicrous Black card? The clear point by cassidy at the start?
@Roberts Mel: sky. And there Co commentator was Paul early
@John O Reilly: was dick clerkin actually. You sure you even watched it?
@Roberts Mel: why are you bringing McVeety et al. into a conversation about your misinterpretation of the video footage…its very clear. You might want to go back and have another look, his arm is very visibly wrapped around the high chest area of the cavan player. The opinions of pseudo sports analysts like yourself and those around you don’t interest me, there’s literally no disputing the video.
how did cavan finish with fifteen..jaysus that was solid from tyrone, if they started with tactics like that against donegal ,they would have won, there solid everywhere there accuracy today under pressure shocked me ,physicality is something else ..my god definition of counter attack,,
Still think Tyrone are the biggest threat to Dublin
Tyrone coming into serious form for the business end. Should be some game in the Hyde next weekend.