Donegal 0-18 v 0-16 Tyrone
By Charlie Collins at Celtic Park
It was a quick return to Celtic Park for Donegal following last week’s impressive victory over Derry, but they had little time to dwell on that performance as they faced another challenging derby encounter against Tyrone for a final place against Armagh in the Ulster Senior Championship.
Team captain Patrick McBrearty was considered fully recovered from injury and was included in the starting line-up in place of Aaron Doherty, but Shaun Patton had not recovered from the injury he sustained against Derry so Gavin Mulreany took over the important goalkeeping role.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Tyrone’s injury list meant a number of first choice players remained unavailable including the experienced Peter Harte who was badly missed in their one point extra-time victory over Cavan last weekend. They were also boosted by the inclusion of Conn Kilpatrick, Cathal McShane, and Michael O Neill.
The manner of both teams victories last week meant Donegal went into this one as favorites but very mindful that a week is a long time in sport and to take anything for granted would be a serious mistake.
Tyrone dominated the early possession but Niall O Donnell put Donegal ahead after six minutes, however two frees in quick from Darren McCurry and Darragh Canavan had Tyrone in front after eight minutes. Oisín Gallen’s free had Donegal level but another McCurry free put Tyrone in front again, but not for long as Daire O Baoill kicked an excellent point to level it up again at 0-03 apiece.
Donegal’s Ciarán Thompson lines up a shot at goal during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Sean O Donnell and Ciaran Daly scored two super points from play and Tyrone were two ahead, but not for long as Oisín Gallen’s long range free and a super Ciaran Thompson point from play brought them level again at 0-05 apiece. Play continued to flow from end to end but Tyrone were now taking their chances and Donegal were struggling to convert.
Tyrone then kicked ahead with three points in a row from Darragh Canavan, a Niall Morgan free and a Cathal McShane score, reward at that stage for their better retention and finishing. Donegal had a number of chances after this but failed to convert and at half-time Tyrone deservingly led by 0-08 to 0-05.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen looks for a way to goal during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
The lead was quickly back to just one as Jason McGee kicked two excellent points from play, Niall Morgan converted another long range free before Niall O Donnell scored from play again to make it a one point game, 0-09 to 0-08.
Daire O Baoill brought Donegal level with a fine score from play but Morgan kicked his third from a free and Ciaran Daly and Darragh Canavan took advantage of poor kick-outs to push the lead out to three again.
But not for long as Peadar Mogan and Caolan McGonagle both kicked super points from play and Oisín Gallen’s free after Shane O Donnell had done well brought them level again, 0-12 apiece.
Michael McKiernan put Tyrone ahead again, Ciaran Thompson’s free levelled it up but Darragh Canavan’s mark edged Tyrone ahead again as time ran out. Donegal had a great chance when Peadar Mogan burst through and attempted to play a one-two with Jason McGee but the return pass slipped through Mogan’s hand as a goal looked certain and Donegal’s chances also gone.
But they forced a long kick-out from Niall Morgan and came again looking for a score. Ryan McHugh’s shot from the left dropped short, Mark Curran contested the ball which dropped to Aaron Doherty, his effort for a goal was blocked but was grabbed by Brendan McCole who blasted it over the bar for the equalizer, 0-14 apiece and we were heading for extra-time.
Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty breaks for goal during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Jeaic MacCeallbhui and Patrick McBrearty for Donegal and Mattie Donnelly and Michael McKernan exchanged points to leave it 0-16 apiece in this titanic struggle. Just before half-time in extra-time Shane O Donnell punched over a point and Donegal led by 0-17 to 0-16 at the interval.
Patrick McBrearty got the only score of the second-half of extra-time as Donegal won it 0-18 to 0-16 to send them into a Ulster Final against Armagh in two weeks time.
Donegal: Gavin Mulreany , Mark Curran, Brendan McCole (0-01), Ciaran Moore, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Peader Mogan (0-01), Jason McGee (0-02), Michael Langan, Shane O Donnell (0-01), Ciaran Thompson (0-02), Daire O’Baoil (0-02), Patrick McBearty (0-02) Oisin Gallen (0-03), Niall O Donnell (0-02). Subs: Aaron Doherty for McBrearty (h/t), Jamie Brennan for O Baoill (48mins), Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui (0-01) for Curran (70 mins), Extra-time subs; McBrearty, O Baoill and Caolan McColgan for Brennan, Moore, Doherty, Aaron Doherty for Gallen(h/t), Jamie Brennan for Niall O Donnell.
Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-03), Conal Devlin, Padraig Hampsey, Michael McKernan (0-02), Sean O’Donnell (0-01), Mattie Donnelly (0-01), Niall Devlin, Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick, Ciaran Daly (0-02), Kieran McGeary, Michael O Neill, Darren McCurry (0-02), Darragh Canavan (0-03), Cathal Mc Shane (0-01), Subs: Aidan Clarke for Devlin (40 mins), Ruairi Canavan for O Neill (76 mins), Aodhan Donaghy and Cormac Donnelly.
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).
