Round-up: Electric Ireland Ulster MFC action
A general view of Grattan Park, Inniskeen. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
Electric Ireland Ulster MFC
Tyrone 3-16 Monaghan 0-18
Derry 1-17 Cavan 1-9
Armagh 2-22 Fermanagh 1-11
Donegal 2-17 Down 0-6 (match abandoned due to waterlogged pitch)
All-Ireland champions Tyrone cruised through to the Electric Ireland Ulster MFC semi-finals with a seven points win over Monaghan at Inniskeen.
A dominant first half laid the foundation for a confident progression to the last four, but Monaghan are still alive, facing a quarter-final next weekend.
The Red Hands were 1-6 to 0-0 ahead after Vincent Gormely fired home their first goal, and some classy scores from Conan Canavan helped them to a 1-12 to 0-4 lead.
The home side started the second half with a flourish, a two-pointer from Mickey Doogan Burne followed by scores from Luke Kelly and Alex McGinnity.
Their momentum was broken when Canavan grabbed Tyrone’s second goal at the start of the final quarter.
It was Canavan who netted again to seal an impressive success for the holders as they ran out 3-16 to 0-18 winners.
Derry also took the direct route to the last four, thanks to a 1-17 to 1-9 win over Cavan at Owenbeg.
They finished the fist half with a flourish as Gabriel Gormley sliced through the heart of the Breffni defence to set up a goal for Tadgh Bradley.
They added scores through Tadgh Scullion and Don Mulholland, with Cavan goalkeeper Darragh Eccleston responding with a two-point free.
The Oak Leafers led by 1-9 to 0-4 at the interval, and added further scores via Bradley and Lorcan Higgins, before Jake Brady broke through for a Cavan goal.
The home side steadied the ship for Gabriel Gormley and Pol McPeake to land two-pointers as they carved out an eight points margin.
Donegal’s Qualifier tie against Down was abandoned in the 47th minute due to a waterlogged pitch at the county’s GAA Centre in Convoy.
The home side was well in control at that stage, ahead by 2-17 to 0-6, thanks to goals from Tadhg McDaid in the first half and Mark Anthony McGuinness after the break.
Heavy rain and a thunderstorm prompted referee Shane Murphy to pause the action, before the decision was later made to abandon the game.
In the other Qualifier tie, Armagh romped to a 2-22 to 1-11 win over Fermanagh at Crossmaglen to book a quarter-final place and end the Erne county’s involvement in this year’s series.
