Tyrone 3-14

Armagh 0-8

TYRONE had far too many weapons for Armagh in the only Junior A semifinal to be played this year. Nine different scorers and a defense that never allowed Armagh to settle made for an easy passage into the next round where St. Raymond's stand in the way of a title and a return to senior football.

Tyrone exploded from the blocks and they had points as they came out the door with three from John Kelly, Gary Reilly and Cathal Skeffington. They were dominant in the middle of the park, and that was creating chances for their forward line continually.

Gary Reilly and John McMullan controlled midfield, with Seamus Skeffington and Ryan Canavan coming up the wings to assist. With 14 minutes gone, their passing turned to gold with Reilly, McMullan and Kelly linking to set Garth McCrory free. He soloed on goal and was denied a direct goal by an outstanding stop by Donal Hearty, but momentum and another touch carried it to the net.

Points from Eoghan Tierney and Pakie McMullan from a free followed to extend the lead to 1-5 to 0-1 with 19 minutes gone. They continued with the shellacking as they added a further 1-2 in the last 10 minutes to a Darren Freeman point.

The goal was a gem. Seamus Skeffington started his run early and when he arrived to the 21 he was found by McCrory. Skef dispatched to the net perfectly.

Armagh made a spirited comeback to begin the second half, with three points from Aide Traynor, Garth Kelly, who was now on the forty, and Freeman from free on the mark. It promised for much more, but Tyrone quickly put a stop to any such notions.

McMullan and McCrory with back to back scores stopped any chance of bleeding developing. McMullan cantered in for another point before Conor Hunter pulled one back, but then Tyrone added five further points to Armagh's two as they easily quelled and thoughts of a comeback.

Tyrone has a balanced side. Damien Corrigan is a confident keeper, Martin Hamill, Gerard McCullough, and Seamus Skeffington defended defiantly. Gary Reilly and John McMullan won the middle easily, while five of the six forwards scored. Pakie McMullan, Garth McCrory, John Kelly and Conor Skeffington before he tweaked the ankle all were prominent.

Armagh had Lonan Maguire, Justin O'Halloran, Conor Hunter, Darren Freeman and Garth Kelly as their main threats.

Tyrone: 1 Damien Corrigan, 2 Sean Coyle, 3 Gerard McCullough, 4 Cathal Skeffington, 5 Ryan Canavan, 6 Martin Hamill, 7 Seamus Skeffington (1-0), 8 Gary Reilly (0-3), 9 John McMullan (0-1), 10 Eoghan Tierney (0-1), 11 Pakie McMullan (0-5), 12 John Kelly (0-2), 13 Conor Skeffington (0-1), 14 Garth McCrory (2-0), 15 Barry McElduff. Subs: Paul Tierney (0-1), Sean Hall, Sean Conway.

Armagh: 1 Donal Hearty, 2 Lonan Maguire, 3 Collie Fearan, 4 Eoghan McPartland, 5 Carl Reilly, 6 Aiden Morton, 7 Justin O'Halloran, 8 Kevin McSorley, 9 Derek McKenna, 10 Conor Hunter (0-1), 11 Darren Freeman (0-5), 12 Sean Kelly, 13 Shane Lyons, 14 Kevin McGeeney, 15 Garth Kelly (0-1). Subs: Aiden Traynor (0-1), Ronan Rodgers.

Referee: Tommy Fahey (Waterford).

Man of the match: Gary Reilly (Tyrone).