Tyrone ease past Cavan to reach Dr McKenna Cup decider

Tyrone 0-15

Cavan 0-10

Tyrone remain on course for a ninth McKenna Cup crown since 2012 after they eased past Cavan in Saturday evening's semi-final.

In the corresponding fixture last year, Cavan won by 1-17 to 0-05, claiming what was just their second win from over 30 fixtures against their bogey side, stretching back to the final of this competition in 2000.

After 10 minutes, a repeat looked possible as the hosts led by 0-04 to 0-01 and were winning battles all over the pitch but as the half wore on, Tyrone took complete control and but for some wayward shooting, they would have been significantly more than three points – 0-08 to 0-05 – ahead at the break.

Apart from some fielding by David Brady, Cavan’s kick-out malfunctioned in the first half, with several restarts gathered uncontested by Tyrone players , while at the other end, Niall Morgan was able to find a white jersey at ease.

Cavan improved in the second half and were just two in arrears with 68 minutes on the clock but Tyrone fnished stronger, with three late scores to round off a five-point win which was about right in terms of a margin.

Centre-forward Gerry Smith opened the scoring with a well-taken point for Cavan and after Ryan O'Neill was fouled, Oisin Brady curled in a superb free from the left corner.

Brandon Boylan, on his first senior start, gathered a pass from Cian Madden for a mark, which he converted with conviction. Killian Clarke did likewise moments later to make it 0-04 to 0-01, with Rory Donnelly having opened the Red Hands’ account.

Tyrone soon set about eating into Cavan’s early advantage; a poacher’s point from Darragh Canavan and an excellent long-range strike by Richie Donnelly pared back the deficit within 30 seconds and after both sides missed