ALL the hopes for a place in the Quarter Final are now in disarray after a disastrous period midway through the second half saw the Tyrone hurlers slip-up by losing this crunch clash at Omagh on Saturday.

Much had been expected from them following an impressive win in the opening round. But they conceded 2-4 in a terrible ten minute spell which cost them dearly and means that their chances of reaching the later stages could be gone.

Strabane's Peter O'Connor and Michael Greaney for the visitors both recorded hat-tricks during an entertaining clash. The Shamrocks man looked to have set Tyrone on the road to victory early in the second half until Greaney brought Monaghan back from the brink.

Score difference could now be the determining factor on whether Tyrone reach the Quarter Finals for only the second time. And, there was no doubting their disappointment at the outcome, especially after an encouraging opening period.

Little separated the sides in the first half as Stephen Donnelly, Lee Moore and Conor Gallagher all excelled. David Lavery and James Treacy settled them with points and the early indications were positive.

This feeling was emphasised despite swapped goals in quick succession after fifteen minutes. First Michael Greaney hit the net for Monaghan, before Peter O'Connor raced through to score straight from the puck-out.

The teams were level on six occasions while the play swung from end to end. However, Monaghan seemed stronger, although Conor Gallagher and Leigh Moore fired over great points to thwart the best efforts of Greaney and Michael Dolan. Moore's brilliant effort approaching the interval break inspired Tyrone as Cormac McHugh also increased their total. They sought to forge ahead, even though a goal chance for Michael Dolan proved the need to stay alert.

Then, a superb run of good fortune either side of the interval promised to catapult them into control. Peter O'Connor goaled in injury time to help leave them 2-5 to 1-6 ahead and repeated the feat immediately on the resumption when he pulled to the net to stretch the lead to five points.

Tyrone were now firmly on top and the efforts of Paul Hughes, Conor Gallagher and Leigh Moore looked set to keep them in control. The picture remained promising when substitute, Paddy Devine, raced through to score after Brian Phelan had responded for Monaghan.

Two further points courtesy of sharp-shooter, Stephen Lambe caused little concern. However, a stroke of poor fortune dramatically changed the course of the game moments later.

With three points separating the sides on a score of 3-6 to 1-9, a speculative ball in from Michael Greaney fooled the opposition defence. The teams were level and, while Conor Gallagher briefly put Tyrone ahead again, Monaghan were poised to capitalise.

Further scores from Lambe and Bernard O'Brien regained a lead that they never subsequently lost. And, the pressure was on Tyrone approaching the closing stages when Brian McGuigan and Lambe combined to set up Greaney for his third goal which left them 3-11 to 3-7 up.

Tyrone, of course, tried hard to retrieve matters and the determination of Stephen Donnelly, David Lavery and Conor Gallagher made some impact. Peter O'Connor left three in it again with enough time left to secure the equaliser, but that was to prove their last score.

In contrast, a confident Monaghan held out and there was no doubting their control when Stephen Lambe extended the advantage to that final score of 3-13 to 3-8 by the end of normal time.

It was a tame enough exit from the home team who are faced with the uncertainty of waiting for events to favour them elsewhere if their involvement in the Nicky Rackard Cup is to continue beyond the group stages.