By Charlie Collins
Tyrone 1-10 v 0-15 Donegal
Donegal who led by five points at half-time had to come from behind to beat a battling Tyrone team at Healy Park in this competitive Dr McKenna clash.
Peadar Mogan opened the scoring for Donegal with a fine point from play and Patrick McBrearty followed that quickly from a free. Oisín Gallan burst past several defenders to set up a goal chance for Jamie Brennan but his goalbound shot was blocked on the line by Peter Harte.
Brian Kennedy fisted Tyrone’s opening score but Shane O Donnell replied with a point from a mark and Donegal led by 0-03 to 0-01 after ten minutes. Jamie Brennan increased that lead with his first score, fisting over the bar after a strong run by Ryan McHugh, McBrearty converted another free and Brennan added another from play and Donegal led by 0-06 to 0-01.
Darragh Canavan kicked Tyrone’s second but Jason McGee from play and another Patrick McBrearty free had Donegal 0-08 to 0-02 ahead. Another goal chance went astray for Donegal when Brendan McCole burst clear after Tyrone lost possession, he passed inside to Micheal Langan who went for the return pass but failed to find McCole and the chance was gone.
Micheal McKernan and Odhran Doherty exchanged points from play and Peter Harte’s free left five points in it at half-time, 0-09 to 0-04 but probably dissapointed not to be further ahead given the goal chances created.
Tyrone opened the second-half two points from frees by Darragh Canavan and Peter Harte to reduce the deficit to just three points and game on. After Donegal had missed several good chances, two more Canavan frees left just a point in it, 0-09 to 0-08 and Tyrone on top.
Oisín Gallan converted a free and then scored from play to restore a three point lead but Niall Devlin and Lorcan McGarrity replied quickly to again leave a point in it, 0-11 to 0-10. Sub Oisín Caulfield put Donegal two ahead again but a minute later Tyrone led for thr first time in the game when Seanie O Donnell set up sub Ciaran Daly to palm the ball to the net, 1-10 to 0-12 to the home team.
Donegal responded well with points from Gallan and Shane O Donnell to regain the lead and Gallan added his fourth to make it a two point game, 0-15 to 1-10 and that’s how it finished, a two point win for Donegal.
Tyrone: Niall Morgan, Conall Devlin, Nathan McCarron, Aidan Clarke, Tarlach Quinn, Michael McKernan (0-01), Niall Devlin (0-01), Brian Kennedy (0-01), Aodhan Donaghy, Dalaigh Jones, Peter Harte (0-02), James Donaghy, Conor Cush, Darragh Canavan (0-04), Seanie O Donnell. Subs used: Conn Kilpatrick, Cormac Quinn, Ben Cullen, Lorcan McGarrity (0-01), Ciaran Daly(1-00), Tiarnan Quinn, Steve Donaghy, James Garrity.
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Kevin McGettigan, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan (0-01), Jason McGee (0-01), Michael Langan, Shane O Donnell (0-02), Odhran Doherty (0-01), Ciaran Moore, Patrick McBrearty (0-03), Oisin Gallen (0-04), Jamie Brennan (0-02). Subs used: Ciaran Thompson, Oisín Caulfield (0-01), Luke McGlynn, Seam Martin, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui, Stephen McMenamin, Aaron Doherty.
Referee: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh).
