DONEGAL’S DOMINANCE over Tyrone continued today but only after a gruelling test of the Ulster champions credentials in Ballybofey.
Mickey Harte saw his Tyrone side again fall victim to Donegal in a preliminary round tie that contained some fine passages of football and plenty tension.
Both teams finished the game with 14 men as Neil Gallagher and Sean Cavanagh were both dismissed in the closing stages, while there was also a flashpoint at half-time with several players and mentors involved as the teams left MacCumhaill Park.
A row breaks out before the interval between both teams.
Tyrone’s matched Donegal for long stages but their failure to score for the last 23 minutes of the game cost them dearly. Conor McAliskey swept over a pair of points to bring the teams level at 1-10 apiece by the 51st minute but then Donegal closed out the game in a professional manner.
Michael Murphy knocked over a pair of frees and also converted a stunning ’45 to give Donegal their eventual three-point cushion. They needed their wits about them in the finale however as Tyrone came close to a goal on three occasions. Colm Cavanagh hit the bar, Peter Harte’s palmed effort was clawed away by Paul Durcan and Matthew Donnelly flashed a stinging late drive wide.
Donegal made an explosive start to the game as they reeled off four points without reply. They were setting the terms but then were rattled on the 9th minute when Darren McCurry ghosted past the Donegal defence to receive a pass and he finished to the net in style.
The opening half was superb. Tyrone tested Donegal and matched them stride for stride. They hit the front at 1-6 to 0-7 but were then overhauled before the break when Martin McElhinney finished expertly to the net after Odhran MacNiallais saw his initial effort saved by Tyrone netminder Michael O’Neill
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Martin McElhinney found the net for Donegal. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Throughout O’Neill was outstanding for Tyrone as he produced a few excellent saves to keep his team in the hunt for honours. Tyrone trailed by 1-8 to 1-6 at the break but drew level early in the second-half.
However Donegal showed all their resolve to put the match to bed in the closing stages, frustrating their opponents and setting themselves up for a quarter-final title against Armagh.
Scorers for Donegal: Martin McElhinney 1-2, Michael Murphy 0-3 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Christy Toye, Colm McFadden, Patrick McBrearty 0-2 each, Frank McGlynn, Karl Lacey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tyrone: Sean Cavanagh 0-4 (0-3f), Darren McCurry 1-0, Conor McAliskey 0-3, Justin McMahon, Matthew Donnelly, Ronan McNamee 0-1 each.
Donegal's Michael Murphy and Tyrone's Ronan McNabb. Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO
Presseye / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO / Lorcan Doherty/INPHO
7. Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)
6. Karl Lacey (The Four Masters)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
8. Neil Gallagher (Glenswilly)
11. Odhran MacNiallais (Gweedore)
12. Christy Toye (St Michael’s)
9. Martin McElhinney (St Michael’s)
10. Martin O’Reilly (Sean MacCumhaill’s)
13. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
19. Colm McFadden (St Michael’s)
Frank McGlynn attempts a shot for Donegal. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
Subs
20. Mark McHugh (Kilcar) for O’Reilly (39)
18. Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill) for Toye (67)
21. David Walsh (Naomh Bríd) for McElhinney (71)
22. Daniel McLaughlin (St Michael’s) for McFadden (73)
Matthew Donnelly attempts a late shot on goal for Tyrone. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
16 wins in their last 17 Ulster games now for Donegal after victory over Tyrone in tense clash
Donegal 1-13
Tyrone 1-10
DONEGAL’S DOMINANCE over Tyrone continued today but only after a gruelling test of the Ulster champions credentials in Ballybofey.
Mickey Harte saw his Tyrone side again fall victim to Donegal in a preliminary round tie that contained some fine passages of football and plenty tension.
Both teams finished the game with 14 men as Neil Gallagher and Sean Cavanagh were both dismissed in the closing stages, while there was also a flashpoint at half-time with several players and mentors involved as the teams left MacCumhaill Park.
Tyrone’s matched Donegal for long stages but their failure to score for the last 23 minutes of the game cost them dearly. Conor McAliskey swept over a pair of points to bring the teams level at 1-10 apiece by the 51st minute but then Donegal closed out the game in a professional manner.
Michael Murphy knocked over a pair of frees and also converted a stunning ’45 to give Donegal their eventual three-point cushion. They needed their wits about them in the finale however as Tyrone came close to a goal on three occasions. Colm Cavanagh hit the bar, Peter Harte’s palmed effort was clawed away by Paul Durcan and Matthew Donnelly flashed a stinging late drive wide.
Donegal made an explosive start to the game as they reeled off four points without reply. They were setting the terms but then were rattled on the 9th minute when Darren McCurry ghosted past the Donegal defence to receive a pass and he finished to the net in style.
The opening half was superb. Tyrone tested Donegal and matched them stride for stride. They hit the front at 1-6 to 0-7 but were then overhauled before the break when Martin McElhinney finished expertly to the net after Odhran MacNiallais saw his initial effort saved by Tyrone netminder Michael O’Neill
Throughout O’Neill was outstanding for Tyrone as he produced a few excellent saves to keep his team in the hunt for honours. Tyrone trailed by 1-8 to 1-6 at the break but drew level early in the second-half.
However Donegal showed all their resolve to put the match to bed in the closing stages, frustrating their opponents and setting themselves up for a quarter-final title against Armagh.
Scorers for Donegal: Martin McElhinney 1-2, Michael Murphy 0-3 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), Christy Toye, Colm McFadden, Patrick McBrearty 0-2 each, Frank McGlynn, Karl Lacey 0-1 each.
Scorers for Tyrone: Sean Cavanagh 0-4 (0-3f), Darren McCurry 1-0, Conor McAliskey 0-3, Justin McMahon, Matthew Donnelly, Ronan McNamee 0-1 each.
Donegal
1. Paul Durcan (The Four Masters)
4. Eamonn McGee (Gweedore)
3. Neil McGee (Gweedore)
2. Paddy McGrath (Ardara)
7. Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)
6. Karl Lacey (The Four Masters)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
8. Neil Gallagher (Glenswilly)
11. Odhran MacNiallais (Gweedore)
12. Christy Toye (St Michael’s)
9. Martin McElhinney (St Michael’s)
10. Martin O’Reilly (Sean MacCumhaill’s)
13. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
19. Colm McFadden (St Michael’s)
Subs
20. Mark McHugh (Kilcar) for O’Reilly (39)
18. Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill) for Toye (67)
21. David Walsh (Naomh Bríd) for McElhinney (71)
22. Daniel McLaughlin (St Michael’s) for McFadden (73)
Tyrone
1. Michael O’Neill (Clonoe)
3. Ronan McNamee (Aghyaran)
6. Justin McMahon (Omagh)
2. Aidan McCrory (Errigal Ciarán)
4. Cathal McCarron (Dromore)
11. Matthew Donnelly (Trillick)
5. Ronan McNabb (Dromore)
8. Colm Cavanagh (Moy)
14. Sean Cavanagh (Moy)
17. Rory Brennan (Trillick)
12. Barry Tierney (Omagh)
7. Peter Harte (Errigal Ciarán)
13. Darren McCurry (Edendork)
25. Cathal McShane (Owen Roe O’Neill’s)
15. Connor McAliskey (Clonoe)
Subs
9. Padraig McNulty (Dungannon) for McShane (42)
10. Tiernan McCann for Tierney (55)
18. Mark Bradley (Killyclogher) for McCurry (64
26. Ronan O’Neill (Omagh) for McAliskey (67).
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