Tyrone deny Cavan despite remarkable comeback

Cavan's 41-year winless streak against Tyrone continues but they couldn’t have come much closer today, recovering from eight points down to force extra-time in an Ulster classic before a crowd of 9,952 at Kingspan Breffni.

Brian Dooher’s side looked to be cruising when they opened a 1-16 to 1-08 lead 16 minutes into the second half but the hosts threw everything at them, rattling in two goals, as they forced extra time.

Tyrone were ahead by 1-10 to 0-04 at half-time in normal time and full value for it. They flooded bodies back and invited Cavan on and when they forced a turnover, they exposed gaps in the home defence, with Darragh Canavan particularly sharp.

After a tense opening six minutes, Cavan opened the scoring with a well-taken Cian Madden effort but the tone was set immediately when, from the resulting kick-out, Tyrone cut Cavan open and Darren McCurry fired over.

The Red Hands were soon in for another half goal chance, this time Michaekl McKernan knocking over, but Cavan landed a huge blow when Oisin Brady and Conor Brady combined to find Madden, who wriggled free to blast to the roof of the net.

That made it 1-01 to 0-02 but, from there till the short whistle, Tyrone dictated the terms and out-scored the hosts by 1-08 to 0-03.

McKernan kicked his second and then found Darragh Canavan, who won and converted a free. A McCurry free left the visitors in front again on minutes and, as the second quarter progressed, Cavan ran out of ideas.

Liam Gray, making his championship debut and his first appearance this season in any competition, rattled the net from close range after Kieran McGeary and Brian Kennedy did well and from there, Tyrone looked comfortable.

Too often, there were defensive mismatches with Cavan forwards