Tyrone advanced to an Ulster semi-final as they effortlessly disposed of Antrim at the Athletic Grounds, 2-23 to 2-9.

Having seen off two Division Four sides, last year’s All-Ireland finalists will meet either holders Donegal or Fermanagh for a place in the Ulster final, while the Saffrons are heading for the Qualifiers.

It was done and dusted at the interval as the winners led by 14 points, 1-16 to 0-5, Tiernan McCann rifling high to the net eight minutes from the break and nine different Tyrone players raising flags during a painfully one-sided opening period.

Michael Cassidy and the bothersome Cathal McShane posted the Red Hands’ first two points, James McAuley replying in between; McShane then cancelled out a Patrick McBride effort, following points from Peter Harte and Mattie Donnelly. Frank Burns was the fifth Tyrone man to register; Rory Brennan the sixth – 0-7 to 0-2 after 18 minutes.

McShane popped over a free and, after Richard Donnelly left six between the sides, Tyrone midfielder Ben McDonnell dragged down McBride as he bore down on goal, receiving a black card, Ryan Murray slotting the free, only for Donnelly to reply for Mickey Harte’s men.

Antrim's Ricky Johnston with Cathal McShane of Tyrone

McShane hit back and McCann found the net, Murray mustering two points for the losers either side of McShane’s fourth point, the Red Hands finishing the half with a flurry yielding points from Niall Sludden, Richard Donnelly, goalkeeper Niall Morgan (’45’), Mattie Donnelly and McShane (free).

McBride and McShane – who was replaced soon after by Connor McAliskey - traded frees in the first five minutes of the second half and full back Ronan McNamee added to the winning total, only to be outdone by opposing corner back Patrick McCormick, who fired his shot low to the net at the other end, Murray pulling back a free after subs Darren McCurry and McAliskey had posted scores for the comfortable victors.

Richard Donnelly supplied Tyrone’s 21st point but the Saffrons replied with a second goal, Matthew Fitzpatrick drilling low to the bottom corner 13 minutes from the end – 2-7 to 1-21.

McAliskey slammed to the roof of the net two minutes later and followed up with a point as the gap was 15 points with an hour played. Murray converted a brace of Antrim frees. Substitute Kyle Coney became the 13th Tyrone player to get on the scoresheet as his team won at their absolute ease.

Tyrone - N Morgan (0-1'45); HP McGeary, R McNamee (0-1), R Brennan (0-1); T McCann (1-0), P Hampsey, M Cassidy (0-1); C Cavanagh, B McDonnell; R Donnelly (0-3), N Sludden (0-1), F Burns (0-1); P Harte (0-1f), C McShane (0-6, 3f), M Donnelly (0-3). Subs: C Grugan for B McDonnell (BC), A McCrory for P Hampsey, C McAliskey (1-2, 0-1f) for P Harte, K Coney (0-1) for M Donnelly, D McCurry (0-1) for C McShane, C McCann for N Sludden.

Antrim - P Nugent; P McCormick (1-0), R Johnston, P Gallagher; P McBride (0-2f), D Lynch, N Delargy; C Duffin, S Beatty; J McAuley (0-1), M Fitzpatrick (1-0), K Quinn; R Murray (0-6, 5f), J Smith, O Eastwood. Subs: R McNulty for J Smith, E Walsh for O Eastwood, R Scott for K Quinn, M McCarry for S Beatty, J Mallon for J McAuley, C Mallon for E Walsh.

Referee - M Deegan.

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