PETE’S THE RED HANDS’ HARTEBEAT

AT the fourth time of asking Tyrone picked up their first win of this season’s Division One when they had seven points to spare over Monaghan at Healy Park last night.

Tyrone were boosted by a fourth minute goal from man of the match Peter Harte and that score separated the two sides at the break.

In the second half though there was only one side in it as Monaghan went half an hour either side of the break without registering.

Harte’s goal came after good work from Liam Rafferty but four superb Conor Mcmanus points helped Monaghan to get back on level terms.

Cathal Mcshane and Harte had Tyrone points while Ben Mcdonnell could have had a goal but he blazed over the bar as Monaghan ended the half with only 14 men after Dessie Ward was black carded.

Two Monaghan players got knocks early in the second half and that helped run the clock down as Ward rejoined the action with Tyrone having only added a point via Kieran Mcgeary during that spell with numerical advantage.

The home side though were beginning to really turn the screw and Monaghan struggled to keep in touch with them.

Harte (inset) then took a mark and followed that up with a point from the resulting kick as the Red Hands moved five clear.

Tyrone were looking good at this stage and they increased their advantage when the influential Harte fisted a point. Monaghan though then had a goal chance when Stephen O’hanlon went past a couple of challenges but his shot was saved by Morgan and Tyrone came straight up the field for Mattie Donnelly to win a free which Mcshane converted. It was all Tyrone at this stage with Morgan landing a long range free and Harte and Meyler adding points from play while Harte was unlucky not to get a goal after chipping Beggan.

Monaghan finally opened their second half account through Ryan Mcanespie but by that stage Mcshane and Conor Meyler had added to Tyrone’s tally.

Mcmanus scored three late frees but it was academic at that stage. Declan Mcclure and Mcanespie traded late points as Tyrone took the spoils.

Tyrone 1-16 Monaghan 0-12