Tyrone 1-21
Donegal 1-12
DONEGAL HAD NO answer to Tyrone’s power and pace as the Red Hand cruised into their second successive Ulster final this afternoon.
This game was over as a contest long before the final whistle as Tyrone defended astutely and attacked with real menace in Clones.
Following a sprightly league campaign, a strong challenge from this young Donegal group was anticipated but it never transpired. Tyrone were well-drilled and picked holes in the Donegal rearguard at will, coupled with some fine shooting from distance.
Tiernan McCann’s 38th minute goal sent them into an unassailable lead while Sean Cavanagh and Rory Brennan blew golden opportunities to hit the net in either half.
Michael Carroll scored a late consolation goal for Donegal but Tyrone were long out of sight by that stage.
On current form Tyrone can consider themselves at the front of the chasing pack behind Kerry and Dublin in the race for Sam. The likes of Ronan O’Neill, Darren McCurry, Conor Meyler were introduced in the second-half, showing the quality of player Mickey Harte could call on from the bench.
Paddy McBrearty was a rare bright spark in the Donegal display and he finished with 0-5, but around him Donegal struggled to create scoring chances.
Tyrone scored 1-21, and 1-19 of their tally came from play in a far more open game than was expected.
Tyrone trailed by 0-2 to no score inside the opening seven minutes, but they slowly started to turn the screw.
Sean Cavanagh missed an early goal chance, but a flurry of scores followed from Peter Harte, Tiernan McCann and Niall Sludden as Tyrone moved a point ahead on 25 minutes.
The Red Hand hit seven unanswered scores before the break to lead by 0-12 to 0-5.
McCann’s 38th minute goal virtually ended the game as a contest. Mark Bradley, Mattie Donnelly, Sludden and O’Neill all chipped in with scores as Tyrone raced further in front.
Carroll hit the net in the 61st minute but it simply meant Donegal avoided a double-digits defeat.
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Very lazy choice for coach of the year Hansens a good coach but Schmidt was magnificent
Ya your dead right! Never mind the blacks breaking the world record of any team for consecutive wins throw in southern nations championship win and where they are now…. Very lazy choice!
Subjective awards are meaningless anyway.
@phillipryan did the AB not just equal the record cause they drew 12-12 with oz when they lookin to break it?
Don’t loose too much sleep he was never going to get it
If he goes though the 6 nations and the world cup the way he has gone through the last 3 games he’ll get it next year .
Should do! His all round performances have been superb and and his place kicking has improved quite a lot. If he keeps this form coming into the six nations and world cup then he is surely in with a shout.
Fancy that. A man from New Zealand named player of the year. A Cinderella story, if ever there was one.
Nothing worth getting upset over.
If sexton was from the south he would of won. Irb prefer to award anyone who plays down south
He wouldn’t have been my winner! Savea or Le Roux would have gotten it off me
Never heard of him
John if you’ve never heard of Retallick you obviously don’t know or watch the fantastic game that is Rugby Union. Well deserved. Maybe watch a game or two and you might be qualified to comment then champ.
It may be a long shot, but if Murray keeps up his form, I’d stick a few quid on him for next year.
If an ape coached NZ they’d still win, and the ape would get coach of the year. Although that’s more or less what’s currently happening. They’re about to be toppled in the next year, far to many close games and a shambles at fly half to maintain their supremacy going forward.
No disrespect to apes meant by the way, I just don’t think they’re coaching material. Although I’m sure they’d make a monkey out of me.
Apparently Joe isn’t even the radar in New Zealand….. Maybe we should be thankful the sign him up to a 10 year contract.
Shame on them if they’re not considering him!
I’m not being bitter but I find it very hard that southern and northern players are put in same category cus lets be honest they hardly play each other and its very mindset in both spheres probably fair if they spit them (exulting Rwc years)
Wouldn’t say bod would have been overly impressed if he did get it!
Hard luck Johnny