All Ireland Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
Tyrone 0-23 Dublin 0-16

Tyrone have qualified for the semi-final of this year’s All Ireland series, defeating Dublin by seven points.  An outstanding closing ten minutes when Tyrone’s replacements came to the fore guided the Red Hands over the line.

Both teams struggled for consistency throughout the contest with the afternoon showers doing  either side no favours.

Tyrone ability to convert two pointers was a feature of the opening half,  Kieran McGeary got the ball rolling in the second minute with a two pointer and further two pointers from Peter Teague and Peter Harte saw Tyrone lead 6-3 after 10 minutes.  Niall Morgan producing a fine save in the 4th minute to deny Cormac Costello at the expense of a 45, which Cluxton converted.

Dublin did punish Tyrone unforced errors and by the mid point of the half the game was level.  Darragh Canavan and costello exchanged points before Niall Scully edged Dublin in front for the first time in the 21st minute.  The lead didn’t last long as a super run from Peter Harte saw the Errigal ace hit a booming two pointer.  Little separated the sides with frees from Costello and McCurry keeping Tyrone just in front.  Deep in the first half Killian McGinnis did tie it up before as Dublin pressed for the lead excellent defensive pressure forced the turnover and Darren McCurry gave Tyrone an 11-10 lead at the interval.

The opening ten minutes  of the restart saw defences continued to be on top as both forward units struggled.  Paddy Small levelled it again but three quick fire points from Darragh Canavan, Ciaran Daly and Niall Devlin gave Tyrone a cushion.

Dublin response was to introduce Con O’Callaghan, who entered the play with heavy strapping.

With twenty minutes remaining, Costello reduced the deficit, but Niall Morgan confidently struck a 45 to keep the lead at three.

O’Callaghan and Kilkenny allowed a subdued Hill find their voices but Ciaran Daly split the posts and Tyrone continued to keep Dublin at arms length.

Paddy Small halved the lead but the recently introduced Eoin McElholm danced through the Dublin to kick an impressive point with eight remaining.  Fellow substitute Luke Breathnach set up a frantic five minutes.  Tyrone needed composure and when the chances presented themselves Ruairi Canavan kicked two crucial points.  Ben McDonnell sensibly punched over and as Dublin struggled to maintain possession Darragh Canavan kicked the insurance point and Tyrone were into the semi-final.  Niall Morgan brought the proceedings to a close with a two pointer of the deck.

On the day Tyrone had eleven scorers with huge performances from the defence with Kieran McGeary to the fore,  Brian and Conn worked hard in the middle with the experience of Petie Harte and Mattie Donnelly vital.

Tyrone will know an improved performance will be required, but they have a fortnight to work on it.