You’ve gotta stroll with it
TYRONE LIGHT CIGARS IN ARMAGH WIN
PETER HARTE’S early goal put Tyrone on the road to a sweet win over the old enemy.
Harte’s 15th minute penalty conversion opened up an eight-point lead and sub David Mulgrew added two goals after the break.
It was a surprisingly comfortable win for Mickey Harte’s men who marched confidently through to the All-ireland semi-finals.
But they’ll expect a much bigger challenge on August 27 than what they got from Kieran Mcgeeney’s side.
Armagh navigated all four rounds of qualifiers and arrived at Croke Park with serious momentum – but failed to deliver.
They kicked just five points from play and never threatened to replicate their surprise 2014 win over Tyrone.
Mark Bradley was terrific for Tyrone early on too and his industry and efficiency allowed them to open up that big lead. Bradley stands just five foot six inches in height and was one of the smallest men on the pitch, if not the smallest.
But what he lacked in height he made up for in sheer work rate and dogged determination around the scoring zone.
His fifth and sixth minute points put Tyrone three ahead and further scorers from Sean Cavanagh and Tiernan Mccann put five between the sides.
It was a historic evening for Cavanagh who kicked four points in his 88th Championship appearance for Tyrone.
Armagh didn’t help themselves with a number of errors. Goalkeeper Blaine Hughes tried a short kick-out in the 15th minute that Cavanagh got his hand to, allowing Harte to pick up possession and feed Bradley.
The Killyclogher dynamo raced through on goal but was hauled down by James Morgan who picked up a yellow card.
Even greater punishment was in store as Harte fired the resulting penalty to the corner of the net, opening up a 1-5 to 0-0 lead.
Jamie Clarke came into the contest off one of his greatest displays in an Armagh jersey.
The Crossmaglen colossus was brilliant against Kildare last weekend but summed up his team’s difficulties here.
He lost possession with an early surge forward and then kicked a ball to a Tyrone player who launched a counter attack that led to a Cavanagh point.
Clarke’s one attempt for a score resulted in a wide late in the half as Mcgeeney’s men were held to just two points from play in the first period.
Tyrone led 1-8 to 0-4 at the break and stretched the lead with points from Niall Morgan and Bradley after the restart.
And Mulgrew set the seal on an easy win with 55th and 63rd minute goals.
His first was a clever finish from close range and his second was a cheeky effort when he feigned a hand pass and blasted from close range.
Cathal Mccarron was sent off in the 62nd minute for a second booking but Armagh also finished with 14 men after a third black card.