Donegal 0-21 v 0-14 Tyrone
By Charlie Collins at MacCumhaill Park
Just four weeks after their thrilling Ulster Championship semi-final at Celtic Park these two rivals squared up again in the opening fixture of their All Ireland Group.
It took extra-time to separate them in Celtic Park as Donegal came from behind to score the game’s last two points and it the meantime became Ulster Champions with that dramatic penalty shootout victory over Armagh in the Final at Clones two weeks ago.
Tyrone hadn’t played since that defeat and one wondered if that could prove to be an advantage or would the thrill of winning Ulster after a five year gap and home advantage carry Donegal to victory in another of these epic clashes between teams from Ulster.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness before Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
MacCumhaill Park was in excellent conditions but a blustery wind was going to make things tricky for the sharp shooters on both sides before a sell-out and noisy crowd.
Darragh Canavan gave Tyrone an early lead from a free, Daire O Baoill burst through for a goal chance but his shot was weak and Tyrone broke away for Darren McCurry to score a super point, the visitors two points ahead.
Donegal’s Jason McGee twists his way to goal during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal then had a second goal chance but Jason McGee’s final pass across goal was intercepted and cleared. Donegal then hit four points in a row, all from play from Jason McGee, Ciaran Thompson, Oisín Gallen and Peadar Mogan to lead 0-04 to 0-02. McCurry added Tyrone’s third but Eoghan Ban Gallagher and Patrick McBrearty replied with two fine points and Donegal led 0-06 to 0-03 after twenty minutes.
Play flowed from end to end, Mattie Donnelly fisted a Tyrone point, McBrearty converted a free but two Kieran McGeary points left just one between them, 0-07 to 0-06 to Donegal.
Oisín Gallen and Sean O Donnell exchanged points to keep and then a big goal chance for Donegal when Niall O Donnell and Micheal Langan set up Ciaran Thompson but he blasted just wide. Gallen converted a close-in free to make it 0-09 to 0-07, but McCurry kicked two frees and as half-time approached it was 0-09 apiece, but Oisín Gallen had the final say of the half with his fourth point and Donegal led by one at the break, 0-10 to 0-09.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen breaks for goal during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Ryan McHugh and Oisin Gallen points put Donegal three ahead but Niall Morgan converted from long range to leave two in it in the opening minutes of the second half, 0-12 to 0-10.
Oisín Gallen kicked his sixth and Jason McGee his second to make it Four point game for the first time , 0-14 to 0-10. The teams then shared six points, Peadar Mogan, Ciaran Thompson and Oisín Gallen for Donegal, Niall Devlin, Darragh Canavan and Kieran McGeary for Tyrone, 0-17 to 0-13 and Donegal looking in control.
Donegal’s Dáire Ó Baoill has a shot at goal during Saturday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
They went on to add more scores from the excellent Peadar Mogan, sub Odhran Doherty, Shane O Donnell and Micheal Langan rounded it off as they won by 0-21 to 0-14 for a great start to Group 3, next up is the long trip to Cork next week.
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Eoghan Ban Gallagher (0-01), Brendan McCole, Ciaran Moore, Ryan McHugh (0-01), Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Morgan (0-03), Jason McGee (0-02), Michael Langan (0-01), Shane O’Donnell (0-01), Ciaran Thompson (0-02), Daire Ó Baoill, Patrick McBrearty (0-02), Oisin Gallen (0-07), Niall O’Donnell. Subs: Odhran Doherty (0-01) for O Baoill (45mins), Jamie Brennan for McBrearty (55mins), Aaron Doherty for Niall O Donnell (61mins), Jeaic MacCeallbhui for Gallagher (65mins), Donal McBride for Gallen (68mins).
Tyrone: Niall Morgan (0-01), Niall Devlin (0-01), Padraig Hampsey, Michael McKernan, Ben Cullen, Mattie Donnelly (0-01), Kieran McGeary (0-03), Brian Kennedy, Conn Kilpatrick, Ciaran Daly Michael O’Neill, Sean O Donnell (0-01), Darren McCurry (0-04), Darragh Canavan (0-03), Ruairi Canavan. Subs: Joe Oguz and Cormac Quinn for Ruairi Canavan for Cullen ( h/t), Cathal McShane for McCurry (50mins), Peter Harte for Kilpatrick (58mins), McGarrity for O’Neill (69).
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
