ALL-IRELAND CHAMPIONS Tyrone, Donegal, Armagh and Monaghan all advanced to the semi-finals of the EirGrid Ulster U21 FC this evening.
Feargal Logan’s Tyrone had six points to spare against Cavan at Kingspan Breffni Park, winning out by 2-10 to 0-10 against the hosts.
Cavan were level at 0-7 apiece early in the second half but goals from Colm Byrne and Ben McDonnell proved decisive for the Red Hands.
Tyrone took their time finding their feet and trailed by 0-0 to 0-3 and 0-1 to 0-4 in the first half before rallying to lead 0-6 to 0-4 at half-time.
Meanwhile, a late melee marred Donegal’s narrow victory over Derry in Ballybofey, as the hosts hung on for a 0-14 to 2-7 win.
Stephen McBrearty kicked the winning free for Donegal in stoppage time as the hosts advanced.
Donegal were comfortably ahead at half-time, leading by 0-9 to 0-3, and they were still cruising early in the second half before Derry’s Niall O’Loughlin goaled.
That score cut what was a six-point Donegal lead down to three, 0-11 to 1-5, and Derry hit the front eight minutes from time when Niall Toner scored their second goal.
But Donegal held their nerve in a frantic finish to edge through and set up a semi-final clash with Tyrone.
Elsewhere, Monaghan pulled away in the second half to see off Fermanagh by 1-15 to 0-3 in Inniskeen.
The Farney boys were just two points clear at the break, 0-5 to 0-3, but Fermanagh fell apart and failed to score in the second half.
Monaghan cruised into an eight-point lead, 0-11 to 0-3, before Fermanagh had Eoin McManus sent off.
And Barry McGinn’s goal six minutes from time added gloss to the scoreboard from a Monaghan perspective.
And Armagh are also through to the last four after demolishing Down by 5-16 to 0-9.
Shane McPartlan bagged two first half goals as Armagh led by 3-8 to 0-3 at half-time.
Early in the second half, Conor Martin picked up the pieces after Marc Reid saved a penalty for a fourth Orchard County goal.
Oisin O’Neill completed the rout with Armagh’s fifth goal on a productive evening.
Results:
Cavan 0-10 Tyrone 2-10
Donegal 0-14 Derry 2-7
Down 0-9 Armagh 5-16
Monaghan 1-15 Fermanagh 0-3
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