We had to "ride our luck" - Cavanagh

Veteran forward Colm Cavanagh admitted that Tyrone had to ride their luck in the closing stages to book an All-Ireland final clash with champions Dublin next month after a 1-13 0-15 victory over Monaghan at Croke Park.

Mickey Hart's side gained revenge for their Ulster quarter-final defeat in Omagh in May to reach their first final since last winning the Sam Maguire in 2008.

It also ended a run of four semi-final defeats since beating Kerry in the final a decade ago.

They will have to improve significantly on this showing on Sunday 2 September if they are to topple a Dublin side that will be strong favourites to record a fourth straight All-Ireland title.

In an error-ridden first half, the Red Hand were guilty of firing seven wides and went in at the break 0-8 0-8 despite dominating.

Monaghan, with Conor McManus [0-07 6f] impressive, sensed their first All-Ireland final since 1930 as they briefly led in the second half, but Niall Sludden scored a decisive goal with just over ten minutes remaining finding the net after a Tiarnan McCann effort was blocked.

Tyrone appeared to have Monaghan at arm's length but Kieran Hughes and Drew Wylie reduced the arrears to just a point in three tension-filled stoppage minutes. Rory Beggan then had a last-gasp chance to level but mis-cued.

Man of the match, Cavanagh, who is the only survivor from Tyrone's 2008 All-Ireland success, told Sky Sports: "Monaghan were on top for a while, then we were on top for a while. The goal gave us a bit of comfort near the end.

"I think we were wasteful near the end. We were three points up and probably should have retained possession. Our game management wasn't how it should be.

"Monaghan came back and got the scores and we had to ride our luck near the end."

On a return to an All-Ireland final, he added: "It is unbelievable. I came into the set up in 2007 and after winning the Al-Ireland in 2008 thought 'happy days - we are going to have these days year in and year out'. But it's been a long, long time of fighting and a lot of work done."

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Image: Inpho/ Tommy Dickson

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