Harte on mark to fire Tyrone to semi-final

PETER HARTE scored five points – all from frees – as Tyrone beat Fermanagh 0-10 to 0-4 at Healy Park to earn a place in Sunday’s McKenna Cup semi-finals.

A strong finish finally saw the home side break free of the visitors who started well and held Tyrone scoreless until the 22nd minute.

Aidan Breen’s breakaway score relieved the pressure on a hardworked Fermanagh defence which performed an impressive shutout in the first half until Harte converted a free.

James McMahon, Kane Connor and Lee Cullen were solid at the back for the Erne men, who went back in front when a strong run from Ryan Jones set up a point for his brother Conall.

Fermanagh were penalised four times for excessive handpassing in that opening period, which ended all square at 0-2 each, after Harte had hit a second free.

David Mulgrew hit Tyrone’s first score from play in the 44th minute, and they eased further ahead with points from Conan Grugan and goalkeeper Niall Morgan, from a long-range free.

Fermanagh played the last eight minutes without brothers Ryan and Conall Jones, who were sinbinned, and the home side finished strongly with scores from Hugh Pat McGeary and Harte, who brought his frees tally to five.

Tyrone will face Derry in the semifinals after they easily withstood the challenge of UUJ by 1-20 to 0-7 in Owenbeg. Derry’s big win left them with a superior scoring difference to Section A runners-up Cavan.

The other semi-final will feature Donegal against Armagh, who featured in the night’s closest contest – a 0-13 to 1-9 win over Monaghan at the Athletic Grounds.

The win means Armagh top Section B with the Farney men missing out on a last-four spot.