Mulligan can 'finish off' Armagh

Tyrone 2-18 Dublin 1-14

He expressed the hope that they could carry their good form into next week's semi-final against Armagh 'and finish them off.'

They certainly achieved this against Dublin in Croke Park on Saturday, winning this replay even more convincingly than the scoreline would indicate. That was after man-of-the-match Owen Mulligan's splendid 50th minute goal helped crush a very promising Dublin rally.

With management and players downplaying any suggestion that a third meeting with Armagh in a seven-week period could be 'a grudge' game, there was also a ready acceptance of the need for further improvement from Tyrone.

"We know we have a lot of work to do,'' said captain Brian Dooher, who had a great game.

"That performance there, we would not get away with against Armagh,'' he remarked. And, Cavanagh said they looked forward to Mulligan continuing his recovery of form. "Everyone knew he had not been playing to his ability, but I think the goal (in the drawn game) lifted his confidence and sparked him into life. He was devastating. I just hope he can carry that form into next week's game."

Meanwhile, manager Mickey Harte, is not happy at having to play next weekend, especially with Enda McGinley picking up an Achilles injury which could make him doubtful.

While the game attracted a record attendance for a quarter-final, it fell below expectations, largely because Tyrone looked probable winners for the most of it. There was also a fair degree of sloppy play on both sides. Ultimately Mulligan's class in scoring 1-7 proved the highlight.

While Dooher felt the game had been 'in the melting pot' after Dublin went from seven points in arrears at half-time to be only three behind early in the second half, Dublin manager Paul Caffrey didn't see it that way. "I didn't think we were going to do it then. We needed to get back level - and then go ahead,'' he said.

Praising the Northerners for 'a fabulous display,' Caffrey declined to comment on the loss of Alan Brogan after he had begun to shape up as their best forward. And, while saying that Dublin supporters should be 'proud' of the effort they put in over the year, he acknowledged that they could yet only 'aspire' to the level of consistency achieved by the leading counties.

With Peter Canavan a late withdrawal (after becoming ill before the game) and Dublin also making two changes from the published line-up, Tyrone seized the initiative with a seventh minute penalty.

It was superbly taken by Stephen O'Neill, who had to endure a disgraceful level of booing from fans in the Canal End stand. To his credit, it didn't faze him.

"You hear it but you put it in the back of your mind,'' he commented. "You just have to think about the kick, and thank God it went in.''

The goal was all that separated the teams for the first 25 minutes, during which time Brogan had posed a serious threat at full-forward - causing Harte to move Chris Lawn to the corner and eventually taking him off.

However, Dublin suffered a huge blow when Brogan was forced off with a leg injury. Tyrone started to look the stronger and but for two fine blocks by goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, they could have been further in front at half-time than seven points, 1-9 to 0-5.

At the start of the second-period, Dublin recovered from conceding two early scores to hit five points in a six-minute period and narrow the margin to three.

Tyrone looked in big trouble, but just as dramatically the contest swung back in the Northerners' direction with the Mulligan goal.

Cavanagh, Joe McMahon at midfield and Conor Gormley at centre-back (once he came to terms with a strong burst from Conal Keaney), were excellent for Tyrone. In Brogan's absence, Mossie Quinn contributing nothing and Jason Sherlock never able to make an impact, Dublin struggled, with Tyrone taking full advantage.

Nearing the finish, Tyrone were coasting before Dessie Farrell produced a Dublin goal just seconds after coming on.

Afterwards, Brian Dooher was philosophical about having to play Armagh so soon. "We would rather play in eight days rather than sitting at home or going out for a drinking session. We can't really complain. We knew that's the way it would be. That's the long and the short of it!''

Scorers: Tyrone - O. Mulligan 1-7 (0-1 free); S. O'Neill 1-3 (1-1 frees); B. Dooher 0-3; R. Mellon and S. Cavanagh 0-2 each; B. McGuigan 0-1. Dublin: C. Keaney 0-5 (0-2 frees); D. Farrell 1-0; T. Quinn (0-1 free) and A. Brogan 0-2 each; B. Cullen, J. Sherlock, S. Ryan, S. Connell and C. Moran 0-1 each.

TYRONE: P. McConnell; R. McMenamin, C. Lawn, M. McGee; D. Harte, C. Gormley, P. Jordan; E. McGinley, J. McMahon; B. Dooher, B. McGuigan, S. Cavanagh; R. Mellon, S. O'Neill. O. Mulligan. Subs: S. Sweeney for Lawn (23rd minute)l; B. Meenan for Sweeney (53rd); E. Bradley for McGee (62nd); P. Donnelly for McGinley (67th).

DUBLIN: S. Cluxton; P. Andrews, P. Griffin, S. O'Shaughnessy S. Ryan, B. Cahill, P. Casey; C. Whelan, D. Magee; C. Moran, C. Keaney, B. Cullen; J. Sherlock, A. Brogan, T. Quinn. Subs: S. Connell for Brogan (injured, 26th minute); D. Lally for Magee (second half); M. Vaughan for Quinn (57th); D. O'Callaghan for Lally (59th); D. Farrell for Keaney (67th).

Referee: G. Kinneavy (Roscommon).

Attendance: 81,882.