Cavan snatch unlikely draw with Tyrone

Tyrone have not contested an Ulster decider since 2010 and Cavan extended that wait at least for another day as they drew 0-16 to 3-7 in an enthralling semi-final at Clones.

Darren McCurry gave Tyrone a three-point lead as four minutes of injury were signalled at the end of the 70 minutes, but substitute Ciaran Brady set up David Givney for his second goal and Cavan snatched an unlikely draw.

Tyrone claimed the Allianz League Division 2 crown when they beat Cavan 1-17 to 0-15 at Croke Park earlier this year but Terry Hyland's men made amends.

Having already lost twice to Tyrone in 2016, Cavan led 2-3 to 0-8 at half-time with Givney and Conor Moynagh on target before the break. But Tyrone fought back and were desperately unlucky not to win.

Cavan had the ideal start. On one of their first attacking forays Martin Reilly blitzed the Tyrone rearguard, his shot was saved but Givney latched onto the rebound and finished to the net.

Feargal Flanagan extended their lead but Cathal McShane and Connor McAliskey reduced the deficit for Tyrone.

It was a free-flowing game despite the tight defences and poor under-foot conditions. Cavan midfielder Tomas Corr scored with another fine effort and Cian Mackey made it 1-3 to 0-2. Cavan were comfortable but a Conor Moynagh mistake gifted Ronan O'Neill an important point for Tyrone.

A couple of easy O'Neill frees brought Tyrone back within one, before Peter Harte scored his team's fourth in a row to draw them level.

Cavan had not scored since the 14th minute and then Colm Cavanagh drove forward to give Tyrone the lead for the first time, 0-7 to 1-3, with three minutes left. Givney hit Cavan's seventh wide, and O'Neill piled on the pressure with a sensational score from the left.

Tyrone looked set to take the lead into half-time but a huge free from Galligan ended up at the feet of Moynagh and he bundled the ball over the line, ahead of Colm Cavanagh's despairing lunge.

Referee David Gough consulted with his umpires before he awarded the goal, and Cavan somehow took a 2-3 to 0-8 lead into the break.

Richie Donnelly tied up the game five minutes into the second-half, and older brother Mattie Donnelly gave them the lead.

Cavan's goal was their first score in 23 minutes in the first-half, but Seanie Johnston slotted a crucial free, and goalkeeper Galligan gave them the lead with a '45. Niall Murray and Dara McVeety made it four points on the trot.

However O'Neill scored his fifth point, Sean Cavanagh stepped up to score a majestic effort and McAliskey scored the equaliser.

Niall Sludden got the point to put Tyrone in front, Mattie Donnelly tagged on another. Darren McCurry slotted a '45 but Giveny's late goal saved Cavan as McCurry missed with his second attempt.

Tyrone: M O'Neill; A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron; T McCann, N Sludden (0-1), P Harte (0-1); C Cavanagh (0-1), M Donnelly (0-2); C McShane (0-1), M Bradley, R Donnelly (0-1); C McAliskey (0-2), S Cavanagh (0-1), R O'Neill (0-5, 3f).

Subs: R Brennan for Bradley (35), C Meyler for McShane (42), D McCurry (0-1, 1 '45) for R Donnelly (50), P McNulty for McAliskey (65).

Cavan: R Galligan (0-1, '45); K Brady, K Clarke, R Dunne; F Flanagan (0-1), C Moynagh (1-0), N Murray (0-1); T Corr (0-1), J McEnroe; D McVeety (0-1), G McKiernan, M Reilly; D Givney (2-0), C Mackey (0-1), S Johnston (0-1, 1f).

Subs: E Keating for Johnston (59), C Brady for K Brady (65), P Faulkner for Clarke (66), J Brady for Moynagh (67), G Smith for McEnroe (70).

Referee: David Gough (Meath).