Semi-finals set!
It was Tyrone who got the day off to an ill-tempered start as they set up a semi-final date with Kerry in a fiery all Ulster affair.
The game will unfortunately be remembered more for the antics of Tiernan McCann than the football on display as the Tyrone man prompted the referee to send off Darren Hughes with an embarrassing piece of simulation.
Hughes’ teammate Paul Finlay and Tyrone’s Ronan MacNamee were also given their marching orders late on.
It was the corner-forward duo of Darren McCurry and Conor McAlisksey that made the biggest difference on the scoreboard as they combined for 11 points.
Conor McManus’ fine display wasn’t enough to affect the outcome as Monaghan were outbattled by a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-14.
The evening’s game was decided more by events away from the referee’s notebook as Mayo eased into the semis with a 2-13 to 0-11 victory over Rory Gallagher’s Donegal.
Half-time was the meat in a goal sandwich as Paul Durcan was first beaten by Aidan O’Shea after the Breaffy man latched onto a high ball, beat two men and found the back of the net.
The second goal of the game came after the break when Lee Keegan either scored a screamer or availed of a serious stroke of luck when his looping effort found the top right corner of Durcan’s goal.
That took the wind out of Donegal’s sails and five second half points was never going to be enough to force their way back into the game as Mayo now face the stiff challenge of Jim Gavin’s Dublin at the end of the month.
