Tyrone..............0-16
Down................0-14
By Alan Rodgers

A series of fine late points proved crucial for Tyrone as they safely progressed to the Ulster semi-final after a less than impressive performance which saw them struggle for long periods at Omagh on Sunday.

It was looking bad for the provincial league champions until they finally found their range during the last quarter. Five points in the last ten minutes saw them overhaul a determined Down team who caused plenty of problems.

Paddy McNeice, Matthew Donnelly, Peter Harte and Niall McKenna all hit the target when Tyrone's attacking prowess came to the fore in those closing stages. But such a positive finale had been looking unlikely previously, especially during the opening period.

Only the brilliant goalkeeping of Tim Harney prevented the Mourne men from enjoying a far more comprehensive advantage. For right from the throw-in the underdogs paid little attention to those who were forecasting an overwhelming win for a fancied Tyrone.

Stylish play from the likes of Gerard McNulty, Conor Poland and Connaire Harrison got Down off to a great start. The foundations for their dominance came from placed passes into a speedy attack in which Paul Devlin, Ben O'Reilly and Ryan Brady excelled.

Points from Ben O'Reilly boosted their confidence before Harney was quickly called into decisive action. Just seven minutes had elapsed when Connaire Harrison got in behind the defence to place Paul McPolin who was denied a goal by a great save from the Glenelly netminder.

That was to provide an indication of what was to come throughout the first half. Instead of producing the expected football which has marked their efforts to date this year, Tyrone seemed to be surprisingly flat-footed and lethargic. Glimpses of their true ability were few and far between, although periodic points kept them in touch.

Kyle Coney opened the scoring for them after eight minutes. Ryan Pickering was working hard at the back, Niall McKenna and Ruairi Keenan gained some possession around midfield while Paddy McNeice, Diarmuid McNulty and Kyle Coney just couldn't break free up front.

It was all so different at the other end where Down displayed typical vigour. They continued to make most of the running, as further points from O'Reilly and Paul Devlin edged them two ahead, 0-4 to 0-2, at the end of the first quarter.

Kyle Coney and Conor O'Neill reduced the deficit to the minimum, but then Down threatened to run riot with several goal chances. Paul McPolin had a shot blocked by Ryan Pickering and moments later Ryan Brady fired over after an initial goal chance from Ben O'Reilly was also well saved by Tim Harney.

Swapped points between O'Reilly and Conor O'Neill maintained the status quo. Down just couldn't make full use of their possessional dominance, although Paul Devlin edged them three ahead approaching the interval break. He also blasted wide as the first half finished in a flourish.

Devlin added another while Diarmuid McNulty and Niall McKenna kept Tyrone going with well taken points. However, there were major concerns about their general efforts following an opening period during which they failed to make any real impression.

Further scores on the resumption from Jarlath Brannigan and Connaire Harrison raised the tempo for Down. They now led by 0-10 to 0-6, and looked the more likely side to emerge with the win.

However, as the game developed, Tyrone finally began to find their form. Scores courtesy of Kevin Mossey and Paddy McNeice reduced the deficit and the momentum was continued when substitute, Ciaran Girvan, blundled his way through to leave just the minimum between them again.

Now was the time for them to press home their advantage. Strong running from Gavin Teague, Peter Harte and Niall McKenna gained them a foothold in a critical area and Matthew Donnelly increasingly orchestrated matters from centre forward.

All the indications were pointing towards Tyrone finishing the stronger. And, so it proved as their patience paid off during the last quarter, although they didn't really kill the game off in the way that might have been anticipated.

Diarmuid McNulty almost made the breakthrough with a good shot saved by Anton McArdle. Nevertheless, Paddy McNeice's darting runs along the wing combined with the excellent play of Kyle Coney and Kevin Mossey to see Tyrone dominate from then on.

As a result, the final stages were marked by the type of play that has them being tipped for greater glories. Time and again surging runs created openings in the Down defence where Conor O'Hare and Gerard McNulty continued to try hard.

Four points in quick succession from Paddy McNeice, Ciaran Girvan and Matthew Donnelly overhauled the lead which Down had held since the opening minutes. Tyrone got their noses in front and while Brian Kelly was sent off for a second yellow card, it failed to halt their momentum.

Half back Peter Harte raced through to leave three between them and the victory looked secure when Niall McKenna stretched the advantage to four right at the end of normal time.

But memories of 2005, when Down snatched a late winning goal, came flooding back when Conor O'Hare and Ross McGarry left two between them. However, this time there was to be no last gasp winning goal from the Mourne side as Tyrone held on with those two points to spare.

Results are, of course, what matter and the team management will be reasonably content to have survived. More importantly, the lessons learned from this tie are certain to heighten their resolve ahead of a semi-final clash against either Armagh or Cavan later this month.