Tyrone ratings:
Niall Morgan: Little he could do about goals but took great high catch when James McAuley bombed ball in. Converted one ‘45’ but missed another, and a free. 6.5
Hugh Pat McGeary: Dominated the game but small Odhran Eastwood. Made a smart interception to prevent another Antrim goal chance in the second period. 7
Ronan McNamee: Seemed a strange choice to mark the quick and clever Ryan Murray but did fairly well, allowing him only one point from play. Powering forward himself, creating chances, and scored a point too. 7
Rory Brennan: One of the very few Tyrone players who came out second best, and he wasn’t bad anyway. Scored an easy point but his man Matt Fitzpatrick played very well, took some good fetches and grabbed a goal. 6
Tiernan McCann: Crashed in a superb goal, completely overshadowed debutant Kevin Quinn, and also made a couple of impressive clean tackles. 7.5
Padraig Hampsey: Utterly untroubled by James Smith, limiting his involvement and pushing forward himself. Took a fine mark. Both he and his opponent were replaced for second half. 7
Michael Cassidy: Almost operating as right half-forward, another performance of pace and power, kicked opening point – but also two wides. 7
Colm Cavanagh: Back in the team, made a very strong start. Won ball, kicked it in, ran with it, and spread play. A very satisfying full game for the two-time Allstar. 7
Ben McDonnell: Hit early wide but playing very well, purposeful going forward, before defensive duties ended his involvement. Took one for the team, pulling back Paddy McBride, and was black-carded. 7
Mattie Donnelly: The skipper was far too strong for Patrick Gallagher. Involved in setting up scores and notched three points himself before being replaced. 8
Niall Sludden: Well-watched by Patrick McCormick but got on the ball more than he’d done against Derry. Forced opening and score a point. 6.5
Frank Burns: Quietly effective around the middle third, setting up McShane’s first point and then scoring one himself. Might have done more to curtail McBride and McAuley though. 6.5
Cathal McShane: The Owen Roe’s man was again very hard to contain, scoring off both feet and strong in the air; six points in 41 minutes, including three from play. 8
Peter Harte: Much more lively than last time, troubling Niall Delargy with his movement. Didn’t score from play but provided several assists, including for the first goal. 7.5
Richie Donnelly: STAR MAN
Another demonstration of his all-round range of talents. Soared to win ball and largely used it very well. Scored three points from play. Two wides, but both were long kick-passes targeting team-mates. Got his range right to pick out McAliskey superbly for the final goal. 8.5
Substitutes:
Conan Grugan: Came on for the black-carded McDonnell but was far less effective. Struck a wide. 5.5
Aidan McCrory: On for Hampsey for the second half. Struggled with the pace of some Antrim attackers. 5.5
Kyle Coney: Pushed high up in attack, scored one fine right-footed point from the right wing. 6
Connor McAliskey: Showed strength to score his point and fierce power to rocket a goal in off the crossbar after taking a great catch. Added a free. 7.5
Darren McCurry: Didn’t make much impact, scoring one point but also firing one wide. 6
Conall McCann: On for the final quarter in place of Sludden but didn’t do a lot, shooting one wide. 5.5
