Tyrone have been installed as firm favourites to lift the All-Ireland under-21 football title after a brilliant second-half display against Galway on Saturday at Pairc MacDiarmada, Carrickon-Shannon.

The Ulster champions, who will meet Limerick in the final, were fortunate to be only two points in arrears at the interval after seriously under-performing. However, after the break Tyrone's earlier indecision, alarming lack of team work and weak shooting, was replaced by a significantly higher level of forcefulness and slick play. Galway, in sharp contrast, found it virtually impossible to build on their half-time lead of 0-5 to 0-3, adding only a point in the second half. It all went wrong for Galway in the third quarter. First, the excellent Kenneth Naughton went off injured and then influential midfielder Joe Bergin was sent off after he appeared to have floored an opponent.

That dismissal effectively ended the game as a contest. It also sent shock waves through Galway football as his straight red card means he could face a lengthy suspension and miss part of the Galway seniors' Connacht championship campaign.

Tyrone copper-fastened a convincing victory with a delightful goal by Kevin Hughes who chipped Galway goalkeeper Padraig Lally from close range.

It was a tribute to Tyrone's strength-in-depth that they could compensate well for the loss of their best forward, Brian McGuigan, who retired hurt early in the second half.

Tyrone will now be attempting to add the under-21 title to the All-Ireland Minor championship which they won with most of Saturday's team two years ago.

Tyrone: P McConnell; G Devlin, D O'Hanlon, M McGee; A Ball, C Gourley, C McGinley; C McAnallen, K Hughes(1-1); G Campbell (0-1), B McGuigan, S O'Neill (0-1); M Harte (0-4, 2 frees), R Thornton (0-1), E Mulligan (0-2). Subs: D McCrossan for Ball; E McGinley for McGuigan.

Galway: P Lally; M Comer, B Dooney, K Collins; D Burke, E McDonagh, J Lardner; G Bergin (0-1), K Fitzgerald; K Naughton (0-4, 3 frees), D Tierney (0-1), K Comer; D Hanly, A Monaghan, A O'Donovan. Subs: D O Curraoin for Naughton; D Morris for O Curraoin; S Rabbitte for O'Donovan.

Referee: A Mangan (Kerry)