Tyrone beat Sligo for All-Ireland quarter-final spot

Tyrone are through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals after a clinical 0-21 to 0-14 victory over Sligo in Croke Park.

The victors were always in control and had impressive performers in Darren McCurry, Sean Kavanagh and Mattie Donnelly.

But significantly, Tyrone were strong all over the park, slick in possession and their defensive tackling turned over a ton of ball.

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Sligo enjoyed their share too. Far from lining up defensively, the underdogs came to play and Pat Hughes, veteran Mark Breheny and his nephew Cian tested Tyrone often through 50 minutes of play.

But in contrast with the ease of many of Tyrone’s conversions, Sligo scores were often hard won or converted from difficult angles.

Here, at least, Mark Breheny was up to the challenge and Sligo enjoyed most success when quick passing broke Tyrone right on their defensive line.

On those occasions they looked impressive but the scores were just too infrequent and they were too often followed by quick-fire Tyrone responses. 

For the Red Hands, McCurry was hugely impressive but equally so, their organisation and efficiency.

Sligo struggled on their own kick-out against the excellence of the opposition defence and the influence of Sean Cavanagh. 

The Tyrone talisman finished with three points and while it could have been more his swagger was corrosive. 

The victors were six points ahead at the interval but held for a time through the third quarter as Sligo enjoyed a brief period of dominance.

It didn't convert on the scoreboard and when Tyrone pushed again, they pulled clear with something to spare.

Tyrone: N Morgan (0-1f); A McCrory, R McNamee, R Brennan (0-1); R McNabb, J McMahon, P Harte (0-1); C Cavanagh (0-1), M Donnelly (0-3); T McCann, M Bradley (0-2), C Meyler; D McCurry (0-8, 3f, 1 '45), S Cavanagh (0-3), C McAliskey (0-1).

Subs: C McCann for Meyler (49), P McNulty for Bradley (58), Justin McMahon for Joe McMahon (60), D McBride for C Cavanagh (63), R O’Neill for McAliskey (63), C Clarke for Donnelly (69).

Sligo: A Deveney; R Donavan, S Gilmartin, D Maye; K Cawley, B Egan, E Flanagan; C Breheny (0-1), N Murphy (0-1); B Curran, M Breheny (0-6, 3f), N Ewing; D Kelly (0-1), P Hughes (0-3), A Marren (0-2, 2f).

Subs: K McDonnell for C Breheny (34), J Hynes for Gilmartin (56), C Davey for Ewing (58), L Bree for Maye (63), K Sweeney for Hughes (69).

Ref: R Hickey (Clare).