TYRONE SUPERSUB GETS DUCKS IN A RO

Tyrone 0-18 Cavan 1-12 Leitrim 0-9 Monaghan

MICKEY HARTE admitted Tyrone found themselves in a ‘dangerous situation’ before coming good in Brewster Park yesterday.

The Red Hands had a five-point lead wiped out by a resurgent Cavan, who fought back to level terms three times in the second-half.

But Ronan O’neill’s three points for Tyrone after coming on as a 44th minute substitute proved vital in a tense game played in searing heat.

Tyrone outscored Cavan by 0-5 to 0-2 in the last 11 minutes to take their place in tomorrow’s draw for Round 4.

They will play Roscommon, Cork, Fermanagh or Laois – all beaten provincial finalists – and the winners will advance to the Super 8s.

If Tyrone make it there then they’ll have navigated all four rounds of qualifiers for the third time in six seasons.

But just like their extra-time win over Meath in Round 1, they had to dig deep to progress and had a key man in sub O’neill.

Boss Harte said: “Ronan O’neill made a big impact, of course he did. He’s a clever player, he’s a good finisher, he’s got good vision.

“That’s what substitutes are for, that’s what the team is for, some people to take on the beginning of the game, someone else maybe to finish it off. When you’re playing as many games as this you need that kind of panel and it’s good to have it.”

Cavan had the measure of Tyrone for the first 20 minutes but spent the next 20 chasing shadows.

Cavan captain Dara Mcveety was cleared to line out after his red card against Down was rescinded and he nailed two early points.

Gearoid Mckiernan was Man of the Match despite finishing on the losing side, scoring five points. He was involved in the build-up to Mcveety’s 20th minute score which left the sides tied at 0-5 apiece.

That proved to be Cavan’s last score of the half and they didn’t split the posts again until the 42nd minute.

Tyrone scored the last four points of the first-half to lead 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval.

And when Connor Mcaliskey opened his account with a converted free after the restart they led by double scores.

But Cavan finally awoke from their slumber then and came roaring back into the contest with an unanswered 1-2 to level it up in the 45th minute

Martin Reilly fisted the goal and Mckiernan kicked a great score from the resulting kick-out as the sides went toe to toe.

But Tyrone brought all their big game experience to bear in the closing stages, with scores from O’neill, Frank Burns, Peter Harte and Sludden edging it.

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