Tyrone hold on against Farney

Ulster GAA Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
Tyrone 1-13 Monaghan 1-11

Tyrone opened their defence of the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship as they had two points to spare over Monaghan at Healy Park in Omagh on Sunday.

While it was a game that never really caught fire, Tyrone did enough, a greater spread of scorers helping them in contrast to their opponents, who had just three. In addition, the Farney Men had to play the bulk of the game with 14 players following the dismissal of Dick Clerkin.

The point-scoring of forward Conor McManus was the main weapon in the Monaghan arsenal, and early in the first half his frees helped the visitors to lead.

Brian McGuigan’s 16th-minute goal helped to turn things Tyrone’s way, however, moving them 1-5 to 0-5 ahead and they led by 1-7 to 0-6 at half-time, Clerkin sent off in the 30th minute for an off-the-ball incident.

After Paul Finlay and Sean Cavanagh had exchanged scores early in the second half, Tyrone were then given a great chance to push on as they were awarded a penalty but Martin Penrose put his spot kick wide.

Monaghan were then awarded a penalty of their own, which Darren Hughes converted to leave two points in it, 1-10 to 1-8.

Tyrone continued to have the edge, however, answering any Monaghan scores with points of their own, doing enough to ensure their passage to the provincial semi-finals, where they will meet Cavan or Donegal.