Dublin 1-11 Tyrone 1-14: Red Hands stun Dubs at Croke Park

Tyrone helped erase some of the memories of the 2018 All-Ireland final defeat as they overcame Dublin at Croke Park, 1-14 to 1-11.

Mickey Harte's charges brought an athleticism, intensity and game-speed that was sorely lacking from Dublin's opponents at Croke Park thus far this year, and put a severe dent in their hosts' title defence hopes.

In the early stages, the tie seemed to be taking on the familiar pattern of Saturday night Allianz League games at Croke Park, with the Sky Blues working their way in for an early goal through Cormac Costello. Fears spread that Tyrone would follow the path of Mayo and Galway in recent weeks at Jones' Road, and succumb to the Dublin pressure.

However, the Red Hands, clearly with a point to prove after last September, took the game and the fight to their hosts, pointing their way back into contention through the boot of Mattie Donnelly.

Indeed, the game was turned in the 21st minute when an optimistic long ball was drilled low into an isolated Cathal McShane. David Byrne was first out to the ball, but the fullback failed to control it and let it spill to McShane who coolly slotted it under the onrushing Stephen Cluxton and into the net.

From there, Harte's team kicked on, and while the Sky Blues accumulated seven first-half wides, Tyrone were full value for their two-point lead at the break.

While this Dublin team frequently dominate the third quarter of games, Tyrone were equal to it, laying down a marker with a Cathal McShane point just seconds after the restart.

However, they faced a real litmus test when reduced to 14 men with Niall Sludden given his marching orders in the 50th minute.

Nonetheless, they managed their numerical disadvantage impressively, and opened up a four-point lead.

When the Dubs turned to the class on their bench, the visitors were equal to it. Indeed, the Ulster side kicked on, opening their lead to five. From there, they powered on and were deserving of their victory.

Following a worrying start to the league campaign, Tyrone have warmed up nicely and are motoring towards the summer with real momentum.

For Dublin, alarm bells aren't ringing. But perhaps the Sky Blues' third defeat of the campaign will offer the rest of the field hope that maybe, just maybe, there are chinks in the armour.

Attendance: 19,927

Referee: Jerome Henry (Mayo)

Scorers for Tyrone: Cathal McShane 1-4 (0-02 marks, 0-01 free), Peter Harte 0-03 (0-02 frees, 0-01 mark), Mattie Donnelly 0-03, Richard Donnelly 0-02, Niall Morgan 0-02 (0-02 frees).

Scorers for Dublin: Paul Mannion 0-04 (0-02 frees, 0-01 mark), Cormac Costello 1-00, Dean Rock 0-02 (0-02 frees), Ciarán Kilkenny 0-02, Paddy Andrews 0-1, Brian Fenton 0-1, Con O'Callaghan 0-1.

Dublin

16. Stephen Cluxton

2. Jonny Cooper

3. David Byrne

4. Cian O'Connor

7. John Small

6. Cian O'Sullivan

24. James McCarthy

8. Brian Fenton

5. Brian Howard

10. Con O'Callaghan

14. Ciarán Kilkenny

12. Niall Scully

13. Dean Rock

22. Paul Mannion

11. Cormac Costello

Subs:

Darren Daly for John Small (30th minute)

Paddy Andrews for Cormac Costello (35th minute)

Kevin McManamon for Paddy Andrews (47th minute)

Darren Gavin for Cian O'Sullivan (57th minute)

Eoghan O'Gara for Dean Rock (60th minute)

Colm Basquel for Niall Scully (74th minute)

Tyrone

1. Niall Morgan

2. Pádraig Hampsey

3. Ronan McNamee

4. Hugh Pat McGeary

5. Tiernan McCann

6. Frank Burns

7. Ben McDonnell

8. Cathal McShane

9. Richard Donnelly

10. Matthew Donnelly

11. Niall Sludden

12. Conor Meyler

22. Brian Kennedy

14. Peter Harte

15. Kieran McGeary

Subs:

Rory Brennan for Tiernan McCann (12th minute)

Connor McAliskey for Frank Burns (60th minute)

Colm Cavanagh for Ronan McNamee (62nd minute)

Darren McCurry for Brian Kennedy (70th minute)