Tyrone into McKenna Cup semis

Tyrone qualified for the Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals with an impressive attacking display in a 0-14 to 0-10 win over Cavan under the Breffni Park floodlights.

But the Ulster Council could decide whether they play any further part in the competition, with a probe into their use of ineligible college players due to be completed this week.

Tyrone’s slick movement and support play caused problems for the hosts right from the start, and they had built up a four points lead inside the opening 10 minutes, with Sean Cavanagh, Aidan McCarron, Christy Colhoun and Kelvin Hughes all on target.

It was not until the 18th minute that Cavan got their first score, a Gerald Pierson free, and their lack of penetration up front was clearly worrying manager Donal Keoghan.

He switched Dermot McCabe from midfield to full-forward, and the move had an immediate impact, the flame-haired skipper rising high to take Sean Brady’s long delivery and hit his side’s first score from play.

Tyrone led by 0-06 to 0-03 at the break, but Pierson’s accuracy from placed balls helped Cavan close the gap to a point.

But with Ryan McMenamin and Dermot Carlin giving them a dynamic attacking impetus from the back, the Red Hands cut loose.

Paul Rouse nailed on three points, Cavanagh hit a gem, and McMenamin also got in on the act with a cheeky effort as Tyrone went six clear with 10 minutes to play.

Cavan did produce a late flourish, but there was never any doubt about the outcome.

Cavan: E Elliot, A Forde, K Fannin, M Cahill, J Crowe (0-01), M McKeever, P Brady, L Mulvey, D McCabe (0-1), M Reilly, S Brady, M Cunningham, L Reilly, G Pierson (0-05, 5f), R Gallagher.

Subs used: E Reilly for Gallagher, N Walsh for S Brady, J Reilly (0-02, 2 frees) for L Reilly, C Mackey (0-01) for M Reilly, M McDonald for Mulvey.

Tyrone: J Devine, P McGurk, C McCrory, M McGee, R McMenamin (0-01), P Quinn, M Penrose, Kelvin Hughes (0-01), S Cavanagh (0-02, 1f), D Treanor (0-01), G Cavlan, A McCarron (0-02, 1f), N Gormley, P Rouse (0-03), C Colhoun (0-02).

Subs used: C McGinley for McCrory, D Carlin for McGurk, C Donnelly (0-01) for Hughes, R Mellon (0-01) for McCarron, Kevin Hughes for Penrose.

Referee: S McGonagle (Donegal)