All Ireland SFC Round Four Qualifier

TYRONE 3-20 CORK 0-13

By Cian O'Connell at O’Moore Park, Portlaoise

Throughout most of the past two decades Tyrone have embarked on several interesting qualifier adventures and another trip is currently being added to the list.

In 32 back door matches Tyrone have now gleaned 28 wins and the success in Portlaoise was achieved with the minimum of fuss.

Cork couldn’t deal with Tyrone and once Connor McAliskey planted a 42nd minute goal the brief simply turned into a demoralising exercise in restricting damage.

So disappointed following the Munster Final loss to Kerry, Cork were intent on delivering a defiant display against Tyrone, but Mickey Harte’s outfit were primed for this encounter.

Tyrone dictated the agenda for the majority of the first half leaving at the break with a 0-10 to 0-5 cushion to reflect their superiority early on.

Harte’s team, though, could have been further ahead, but only converted 10 from 17 attempts, while Cork kicked five from nine.

Initially Tyrone accumulated a 0-4 to 0-1 advantage, but Cork did enjoy one little burst to draw level.

Ruairi Deane made a couple of nice breaks, while Michael Hurley and Luke Connolly flickered inside, but they weren’t afforded sufficient rations of quality possession.

Tyrone were able to move the ball swiftly and in the second quarter clipped six points, while Cork only managed one. That was a significant period as Connor McAliskey quietly kicked Tyrone frees as Niall Sludden also nailed an important point.

Ultimately it meant Tyrone went in five ahead and Cork were completely aware that significant improvement was necessary.

Tyrone, though, weren’t too bothered continuing to govern the game with a 42nd minute McAliskey major edging them 1-13 to 0-6 clear.

Padraig Hampsey made the dash releasing McAliskey, who had the requisite skill to make the Cork net dance as Tyrone stayed in command.

Connolly mined a couple of points for Cork, but Tyrone added a second goal in the 51st minute when substitute Ronan O’Neill palmed home a Harte assist to ensure the Red Hands led 2-16 to 0-10.

Eight minutes from the end Cork’s Mark Collins was red carded and Tyrone confidently closed out the deal with another replacement, Mark Bradley, completing the rout with a third goal late on.

Next weekend’s All Ireland Quarter-Final round robin series tussle at Croke Park against Roscommon should be revealing.

Scorers for Tyrone: Connor McAliskey 1-6 (5fs), Ronan O’Neill 1-2 (2fs), Mark Bradley 1-0, Cathal McShane and Frank Burns 0-3 each, Niall Sludden 0-2, Colm Cavanagh, Richard Donnelly, Mattie Donnelly and Peter Harte (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cork: Luke Connolly 0-9 (6fs, 145), Mark Collins 0-2, Ruairi Deane and Michael Hurley 0-1 each.

TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Cathal McCarron, Ronan McNamee, Michael McKernan; Tiarnan McCann, Mattie Donnelly, Frank Burns; Colm Cavanagh, Padraig Hampsey; Peter Harte, Niall Sludden, Conor Meyler; Cathal McShane, Richard Donnelly, Connor McAliskey.

Subs: Ronan O’Neill for McAliskey (50), Kieran McGeary for McShane (52), Mark Bradley for Harte (53), Aidan McCrory for McKernan (55), Hugh Pat McGeary for McNamee (58), Rory Brennan for Burns (59).

CORK: Mark White; James Loughrey, Jamie O’Sullivan, Kevin Crowley; Kevin Flahive, Stephen Cronin, Cian Kiely; Ian Maguire, Brian O’Driscoll; Sean White, Mark Collins, Ruairi Deane; Luke Connolly, Brian Hurley, Michael Hurley.

Subs: Killian O’Hanlon for O’Sullivan (32, BC), Paul Kerrigan for Cronin (40), Donncha O’Connor for B Hurley (47), Matthew Taylor for O’Driscoll (50), Ronan O’Toole for White (53), Sam Ryan for Loughrey (56).

REFEREE: Maurice Deegan (Laois).