ULSTER MFC QUARTER-FINAL:TYRONE JUST edged out Armagh in a thrilling Ulster Minor football championship quarter-final at the Morgan Athletic Grounds, Armagh yesterday.

Armagh made a whirlwind start during which Ciarán O’Hanlon proved inspirational in their attack. Although his team hit seven points without response, they were subsequently reined in after Seán Hackett and man of the match Mark Bradley thundered in goals which saw the sides deadlocked at 2-5 to 0-11 before Donal O’Neill and Eoghan Burns whipped over points that gave Armagh a 0-13 to 2-5 interval lead.

With substitute James McGahan laying down a marker with an early brace of points, Tyrone stepped up the tempo in the second half.

And it was McGahan who piloted the Red Hands into the lead for the first time in 53rd minute before Bradley finished a sweeping movement by drilling in Tyrone’s fourth goal four minutes later.

Armagh remained stubbornly defiant but a renewed sense of self-belief helped Tyrone close out a match that at one stage appeared to have slipped away.

TYRONE: D Martin; R Mullan, P Hampsey, C Harvey; R Brennan, C McLaughlin, P McKenna; D Carroll, S Molloy; K McGeary, C Mallon, R Sludden; M Bradley (2-7), D McNulty (0-1), S Hackett (1-2). Subs: R Kelly for McLaughlin (half-time), J McGahon (1-1) for Carroll (half-time), R McGlone for McKenna (40 mins), C O'Neill for McGeary (55 mins).

ARMAGH: M Trainor; S Heffron, S Connell, M Finnegan; M Carson, D O'Neill (0-1), S Renaghan; E Rafferty (0-1), N Grimley (0-4); E Burns (0-3, all frees), J McElroy, C O'Hanlon (0-6); R McShane (0-1), C Comiskey (0-2), M Murphy. Subs: C McKenna for Reneghan (half-time), R McCabe (0-1) for McShane (47 mins), D O'Hagan for Cumiskey (50 mins).

Referee: Martin McNally (Monaghan).

Next Up . . .

Sunday, June 24th:

Down v Monaghan, TBA, 12.15

Saturday, June 30th:

Tyrone v Derry, TBA, 2.45