Tyrone squeezed into an Ulster Football semi-final meeting with Donegal next Sunday after a tense 1-23 to 3-16 extra-time win over a brave Cavan side.
The Red Hands appeared in control as they led 1-16 to 1-8 after 53 minutes.
But Cavan punished Padraig Hampsey’s black card by hitting 2-1 as Padraig Faulkner and Niall Carolan netted which helped the home side force extra-time.
Tyrone hit only three points in extra-time but it proved enough as Cavan were unable to bring the game to penalties.
Cian Madden’s goal gave Cavan an early 1-1 to 0-2 lead but Brian Kennedy’s exchange of passes with Darren McCurry set up debutant Liam Gray to net for the Red Hands in the 18th minute and they pushed on to extend their advantage to 1-10 to 1-4 by half-time.
Tyrone seemed under no threat as they extended their lead to eight midway through the second half but the Red Hands badly lost their way as Cavan suddenly upped the pace.
As bodies noticeably tired, scores proved at a premium in extra time but the Red Hands, despite losing key forwards Darragh Canavan and Darren McCurry to injury which will be a worry for next week, did enough to set up their meeting with Derry’s conquerors.
Jim McGuinness was at Breffni Park to watch the action and can’t have been upset to see the attrition and amount of energy that the Red Hands required to see off the home side.
More to follow.
