All-Ireland SFC: Tyrone outclass Monaghan to reach semi-finals

Connor McAliskey was among Tyrone's impressive performers at Croke Park

Tyrone produced their best performance of the summer beating Monaghan by 0-18 to 0-14 to set up an All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry on 23 August.

The Red Hands led by 0-7 to 0-5 at half time in Croke Park and were hugely impressive throughout, with Darren McCurry top-scoring with six points.

Eight Tyrone players scored to win a sixth quarter-final under Mickey Harte.

Darren Hughes and Paul Finlay were sent off late on for Monaghan with Tyrone's Ronan McNamee also dismissed.

After some average displays in the All-Ireland qualifiers, Tyrone raised their game and went through the gears to blitz the Ulster champions.

The sides were level twice in the early stages before Tyrone took over, repeating their 2013 All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Monaghan.

Mickey Harte's team gave a master-class in defensive play and broke with great pace and fluidity which Monaghan struggled to handle.

Kieran Hughes and Dessie Mone kicked superb long-range scores for the Ulster champions in the opening five minutes.

Joe McMahon responded with a superb left-footed point to make it 0-2 apiece, before limping off injured after just eight minutes.

Justin McMahon was introduced for his injured brother Joe in the first half

Tyrone drew fouls from the Monaghan defence, which McCurry and Connor McAliskey punished with frees.

Tyrone's slick support play was finished off with a fine point from Peter Harte to put Tyrone 0-6 to 0-3 ahead.

Conor McManus ended a 16-minute scoring drought for Monaghan with a point from the wing after half an hour.

Monaghan manager Malachy O'Rourke made a triple substitution at the break but it was Tyrone who made the best start to the second period with three points inside the opening six minutes to stretch Tyrone's lead to 0-10 to 0-5.

Conor McManus reduced the deficit with two frees, but a three-point gap was as close as Monaghan could get, as Tyrone dictated the terms.

Sean Cavanagh, McAliskey, Ronan McNabb and Ronan McNamee scored inspirational points as Tyrone streamed forward with Justin McMahon influential in defence.

Monaghan were pedestrian and although Owen Duffy kicked two points inside a minute, Tyrone instantly responded to every score.

They led by 0-16 to 0-10 after 57 minutes before the latter stages was marred by several spats between the Ulster rivals.

Darren Hughes was harshly sent off when Tiernan McCann over-reacted to a slight brush, and Paul Finlay received a second yellow card deep into injury time.

Tyrone fullback Ronan McNamee also went for a second bookable offence and goalkeeper Niall Morgan made a great reaction save from Conor McManus as Tyrone deservedly held on.

Tyrone: N Morgan; A McCrory, R McNamee (0-1), C McCarron; R McNabb (0-1), Joe McMahon (0-1), P Harte (0-1); C Cavanagh, M Donnelly (0-2); T McCann, M Bradley, C Meyler; D McCurry (0-6, 3f, 1 '45'), S Cavanagh (0-1), C McAliskey (0-5, 4f).

Subs: Justin McMahon for Joe McMahon (8), C McCann for Meyler (BC, 24), P McNulty for C McCann (46), R O'Neill for McAliskey (59), R Donnelly for Bradley (67).

Monaghan: R Beggan; C Walshe, V Corey, R Wylie; D Mone (0-1), N McAdam, K O'Connell; O Lennon, F Kelly (0-1); K Duffy, D Hughes, S Gallogly; R McAnespie, K Hughes (0-1), C McManus (0-6, 4f).

Subs: D Clerkin (0-1) for Lennon (HT), D Wylie for Corey (HT), O Duffy (0-2) for McAnespie (HT), D Malone for McAdam (49), P Finlay (0-1) for Gallogly (52), C McGuinness for K Duffy (61).

Referee: Marty Duffy (Sligo).