Tyrone 1-13 Monaghan 1-11: Not much went Monaghan's way at Healy Park as they ended their Ulster quarter-final against Tyrone two men down and with their hosts two points to the good.
A thumping second half penalty by Darren Hughes gave them a fighting chance right until the end, but Tyrone always had more in the locker and, in truth, Monaghan were doomed after Dick Clerkin was dismissed after two yellow cards in five first half minutes.
The second dismissal, that of Dessie Mone after a 72nd minute clothesline on Philp Jordan, had little bearing on the outcome, and served only as evidence of Monaghan’s frustration at being kept at arm’s length by Mickey Harte’s side.
They began well and led 0-5 to 0-3 after 15 minutes but by then, the game was only beginning to take shape. EightTyrone men would earn bookings over the afternoon but they played some terrific football in difficult conditions.
All three of Stephen O’Neill points were magnificent. Conor Gormley moved as well as ever in defence and Brian McGuigan lit up a grim afternoon with another virtuoso display and a 19th minute goal, after which Tyrone never looked back.
Still, the got fright when Hughed despatched from the spot in the 49th minute after Ryan McMenamin fouled Ciaran McManus. Suddenly it was 1-10 to 1-08, but Tyrone responded by producing three quality points, with Owen Mulligan, fresh of the bench, offering a reminder of his talents by landing a fine point in the 59th minute.
Monaghan trailed by four with 10 minutes to go and scored the last two points of the game to give themselves a chance but the game ended with a series of pointless scuffles rather than an unlikely comeback.