Another big crowd of 7,552 turned up to see the second meeting of the Orchard men and the Red Hands last night at the city venue, but they were bitterly disappointed by a tame affair in which Kieran McGeeney’s side failed to fire.

Tyrone got off to the best possible start a flying start, with PJ Lavery blasting home a fifth minute goal to set them on their way.

In a dominant opening quarter, they went four points clear through Sean Cavanagh, with Armagh managing just a single point, from Miceal McKenna.

Armagh almost had a goal in the 16th minute. Jamie Clarke, playing in the half back line, got on the end of n Aaron Findon pass, but his shot was saved by Mickey O’Neill.

Mickey Harte’s men struck for a second goal in the 24th minute. Lavery was again uin the thick of the approach work, collecting Ronan O’Neill’s pass to send Shay McGuigan in slot low to the bottom corner of the net.

Five minutes later, Kieran McGeeney’s men finally had some joy. Clarke moved up to add his class to the attack, and immediately made an impact, sending midfielder Stefan Campbell in to blast to the roof of the net.

But their joy was short-lived as the Red Hands countered to punch another hole in a hesitant defence for a third goal on 34 minutes. Connor McAliskey’s shot was blocked, but spun into the grasp of Sean Cavanagh, who finished from close range.

Tyrone led by 3-5 to 1-4 at the interval, and Connor McAliskey stretched the advantage with couple of points early in the second half.

Armagh continued to struggle in front of the posts, managing just two points in a 20 minute spell, through Micheal McKenna and substitute Ciaran O’Hanlon.

Tyrone were able to respond with quality points from McAliskey and Lavery, and held a comfortable nine points lead going into the final ten minutes.

Armagh had late scores from Aidan Forker and Sean Connell, but were well beaten on the night in a tame affair that lacked all the fireworks of the sides’ meeting two weeks ago.

In the other semi-final at Kingspan Breffni Park, Martin Dunne grabbed a late goal to break Fermanagh hearts and give Cavan a narrow 1-8 to 1-7 win.

Early points from Sean Quigley and Barry Mulrone eased the Erne men into an early lead, before Martin Reilly and Dara McVeety were on target to bring the home side level.

They were deadlocked on 0-4 each after Tom Hayes and Niall McDermott had swapped scores with Quigley and Ryan Jones.

But it was Pete McGrath’s side that finished the half with a flourish, Quigley hitting his third for a 0-6 to 0-4 interval lead.

Cavan went in front with scores from McDermott, Conor Moynagh, Michael Lyng and Reilly.

Quigley grabbed a goal with five minutes to play to put Fermanagh back in front, but Cavan hit back and stole it at the death when Dunne netted.

Quigley had a chance to send it to extra-time, but missed a stoppage time free.