GAA: Tyrone easily retain the Ulster title on a scoreline of 2-17 to 0-15

Two Ronan O’Neill goals helped Tyrone to their 15th Ulster football title and back-to-back provincial crowns on a 2-17 to 0-15 scoreline at Clones.

Apart from the last 15 minutes in the first half, Mickey Harte's side were totally dominant and eased up to only win by eight points as Down landed three of the last four scores.

O'Neill scored a minute after his introduction with his first touch in the 55th minute and he audaciously lobbed Mickey Cunningham for his second goal 10 minutes later to wrap up Tyrone's win.

It has been a canter through Ulster for Tyrone this year, who have now beaten Derry, Donegal and Down by 11, nine and eight points respectively, and they now confidently face Croke Park football in the quarter-finals.

With the wind at their backs in the first half, Down would have hoped for a blistering start against the red-hot favourites, but instead, it was Harte's Tyrone that dominated the opening action.

A third-minute point from Padraig Hampsey down the right got the scoring underway, but Shay Millar's score following a good counter attack soon had matters level again.

But the next three scores fell to Tyrone as they showed real steeliness in defence to force the turnovers and broke rapidly out from the back to create the chances. Hampsey landed his second score after Peter Harte found the target, and Mattie Donnelly made it 0-4 to 0-1 after Tyrone broke out when Connaire Harrison turned over possession at the other end.

The first 20 minutes were devoid of the vim and vigour that Down displayed on their way past Monaghan in the semi-final, and despite a good score from Ryan Johnston, Down soon found themselves four behind when Niall Sludden and Sean Cavanagh added points from play - none of Tyrone's first-half scores came from frees.

But suddenly, in the closing stages of the half Down lifted themselves. Three points without reply from Niall Donnelly, Daragh O'Hanlon and Conor Maginn meant they only trailed by one, but a minute into added-time O'Halon missed a prime goal chance that would have turned the game on its head.

The game did take a big swing in Down's favour when Kieran McGeary was black carded when he pulled down Gerard McGovern, but Donnelly's fisted point was some solace for Tyrone who led 0-7 to 0-5 at the interval.

Whatever confidence and momentum that Down had summoned before half-time was soon wiped away though as Tyrone started the second-half brilliantly. David Mulgrew, Sean Cavanagh and Mark Bradley added points in the first three-and-a-half minutes before Peter Harte's 46th minute free made it 0-11 to 0-5.

Another three on the bounce had Tyrone nine points up, before O'Neill's 55th-minute goal put the result beyond doubt. His second was the coolest finish imaginable as he dinked the ball over the advancing Cunningham, but this was the perfect result after a perfect run through the province for the double champions.

Tyrone: N Morgan; A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron; T McCann (0-1), P Hampsey (0-3), P Harte (0-2, 0-1f); C Cavanagh, C McCann (0-1); D Mulgrew (0-1), N Sludden (0-1), K McGeary; M Bradley (0-2), S Cavanagh (0-2, 0-1f), M Donnelly (0-3).

Subs: D McLure for McGeary (35+4 mins BC), D McCurry for S Cavanagh (49), R O'Neill (2-0) for Bradley (54), C Meyler for Mulgrew (55), C McShane for C McCann (59), L Brennan (0-1) for Sludden (65),

Down: M Cunningham (0-1, 0-1f); N McParland, G McGovern, D O'Hagan; D O'Hanlon (0-4, 0-4f), C McGovern, C Mooney (0-3); P Turley, N Donnelly (0-1); S Millar (0-1), C Maginn (0-1), K McKernan; J Johnston, C Harrison, R Johnston (0-2).

Subs: J Murphy (0-1) for McKernan (43 mins BC), D McKibbin (0-1) for Turley (47), D O'Hare for J Johnston (49), M Poland for Millar (56), A Carr for Donnelly (59), S Dornan for Maginn (62), C Poland for M Poland (70 blood sub).

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)