Tyrone scored their first win of the All-Ireland series as they virtually ended Clare's involvement in the 2024 race for Sam Maguire, but it was only in the final 15 minutes that they pressed home the advantage with some much-needed attacking flair.
It was corner back Niall Devlin who bagged the two first-half goals that helped them to a four-point interval lead, before Darragh Canavan’s late surge saw him rifle home a magnificent goal.
The 14 point winning margin was somewhat flattering to a Red Hand side that has struggled for consistency throughout a challenging season, and once again lacked fluency for much of this contest.
Emmet McMahon, with 0-5, top-scored for the Banner, who finished with 14 men following a late straight red card for midfielder Darragh Bohannon, and only an unlikely combination of results in the final round of the group will keep their interest in the series alive.
It was a first ever championship meeting of the counties, who had previously met just twice in league action, back in the 1995 and 1996 seasons, with Tyrone coming out on top on both occasions in Division One encounters.
A black card for Clare defender Ikem Ugweri after three minutes gave the home side an opportunity to capitalise, but they managed just one point during the wing back’s ten-minute absence.
Dermot Coughlan, playing in a withdrawn role, was kept under wraps by Ciaran Daly, who tracked his every attempt to make incisions from deep, but the visitors had the Tyrone defence under sustained pressure in the early stages.
Emmet McMahon nudged the Banner ahead at the end of the opening quarter, but in the 19th minute, Devlin got on the end of Aidan Clarke’s assist to plant a low shot to the corner of Stephen Ryan’s net.
Clare responded in positive fashion, with centre back Cillian Roiune’s second score bringing his side level, but Devlin struck again in the 29th minute.
Mattie Donnelly and Kieran Daly pressed forward as the Red Hands got some control on the contest in the closing stages of the half, and it was goalkeeper Niall Morgan, pushing up as far as the opposition 20 metre line, who provided the final pass for the flying defender to apply another clinical finish and send his side in with a 2-03 to 0-05 interval lead.
Donnelly and Brian Kennedy pushed the Ulster side into a six point lead, but Clare displayed their battling qualities to disrupt and counter, with Ronan Lanigan and Alan Sweeney always looking to press forward from the back.
McMahon and Aaron Griffin pulled back points, but Darragh Canavan finally got going with a couple of placed ball scores as Tyrone, with a light wind now in their backs, pushed for home.
The Canavan brothers displayed their class with brilliantly executed scores, and Donnelly curled over his second.
And as the game slipped away from Clare in the closing stages, the were reduced to 14 men following a straight red card for midfielder Darragh Bohannon.
The floodgates opened in the final ten minutes as the home side tagged on 1-4, including a brilliantly executed goal from Darragh Canavan.
Tyrone: N Morgan, N Devlin (2-02), P Hampsey, A Clarke; M McKernan, M Donnelly (0-04), K McGeary; B Kennedy (0-01), J Oguz; C Daly (0-01), M O’Neill, S O’Donnell; D McCurry, D Canavan (1-04, 2f, 1m), R Canavan (0-02).
Subs: C Kilpatrick (0-01) for Oguz (49), P Harte for McCurry (53), S O’Hare for McGeary, C McShane for O’Donnell (62), C Quinn for O’Neill (66)
Clare: S Ryan; M Doherty, C Brennan, R Lanigan (0-01); A Sweeney, C Rouine (0-02), I Ugweru; B McNamara, D Bohannon; D Walsh, D Coughlan, G Murray; C Downes; A Griffin (0-01), E McMahon (0-05, 3f).
Subs: J Stack for Downes (42), E O’Connor for McNamara (51), C Burle for Sweeney (58), J McGann for Griffin (62), M McInerney (0-01, ’45) for McMahon (66)
Referee: J Henry (Mayo)
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