Tyrone 2-13
Armagh 0-13

Goals from Joe McMahon and Tommy McGuigan were the telling difference as Tyrone ousted neighbours Armagh this evening in Omagh to move into the fourth round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Roscommon.

Steven McDonnell's points in the opening stages helped Armagh into a three point lead, but Tyrone hit unanswered 1-4, including McMahon's goal after a mistake from Paul Hearty in the Armagh goal, in the closing five minutes to lead by four points at half-time.

The Orchard men resumed brilliantly by notching the first three scores of the second-half, but faced an uphill battle when Tommy McGuigan netted a second Tyrone goal in the 47th minute, before a McDonnell penalty went over the bar towards the end.

Tyrone drew first blood when Peter Harte darted over a free, after Charlie Vernon had been impeded by referee Marty Duffy for over-carrying, before Aaron Kernan slipped Malachy Mackin through for the Armagh response.

Steven McDonnell shot the visitors into their first lead on six minutes via a straightforward free, as they looked to up the ante, but it was quickly cancelled out when Mark Donnelly pulled off some splendid work to find a gap and quickly shoot over.

Jamie Clarke looked to introduce himself to the game in Armagh's next attack and almost grabbed a gem point before being denied by the upright. It made little difference as the lively Mackin was quickest to pounce and raise his team's third white flag.

McDonnell's second point doubled the Orchard men's lead as Tyrone failed to convert their possession until Kyle Coney gained possession in the corner to fly the ball over and trim the difference to the minimum.

Micheál O'Rourke struck the next score for Armagh, but they could have been dealt a severe blow when Mark Donnelly slipped Sean O'Neill through on goal but the youngster blazed his shot just wide of Paul Hearty's post and Paddy O'Rourke's team were let off the hook.

McDonnell's second free made it double scores in Armagh's favour just before Tyrone struck a timely purple patch.

A Peter Harte free and a rousing point from Sean O'Neill, who was assisted by Colm Cavanagh, lifted the home contingent as they went in to own the closing stages of the half.

Great movement inside from the Red Hands' attack afforded veteran Brian McGuigan the time and space to slip the ball over and level the teams for the third time.

On 35 minutes the home side landed a crucial blow when Armagh goalkeeper Paul Hearty came under pressure from Colm Cavanagh and left a pass to short which allowed Joe McMahon to bounce and bundle the ball to the Armagh net.

Another Brian McGuigan point raised huge cheers from the home support and closed the half at 1-7 to 0-6.
Armagh couldn't have made a better start to the second-half, as they struck for the first three scores to make a point the margin.

The next score was crucial for both teams and it came the home side's way after Harte was sent through the centre and fired over the bar with the chance of a second goal for his team on. Kevin Hughes would also blaze a goal chance wide, but Tyrone were back firmly in control once Mark Donnelly flicked over a shot.

Armagh couldn't muster a response and it allowed Martin Swift with the opportunity to fire over an insurance point much to the delight of the Tyrone contingent.

With their tails firmly up, Mickey Harte's team had no intentions of letting up. A sizzling run from Peter Harte ripped another hole in the Armagh defence and the youngster unselfishly offloaded to an unmarked Tommy McGuigan, who rifled the ball past Hearty for a second goal.

A Harte free quickly followed to put Tyrone six points to the good and they looked to have Roscommon in their sights.

Armagh never threw in the towel though as McDonnell added to his tally heading towards the closing stages.

The big chance for Armagh would come with five minutes to go when McDonnell's shot was blocked by a Tyrone foot and Marty Duffy awarded a penalty much to the protests of the Tyrone players.

McDonnell stood up to take the spot kick and blazed over in effort of a goal, which all but ended his side's hopes. He grabbed the next two scores to leave Armagh within four, but time was running out on the visitors and late late points from Donnelly and Sean Cavanagh confirmed their exit and Tyrone's passage. Tweet

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