DONEGAL’S hopes of retaining the Nickey Rackard Cup were dashed by Tyrone in Carrickmore.
Tyrone 2-24 Donegal 1-21
Eleven points by Damian Casey powered Tyrone to victory over Mickey McCann’s Donegal in the semi-final.
A ninth-minute goal by Rory Weir helped give Tyrone a real foothold, but Ciaran Matthewson finished at the other end.
However, when Cain Ferguson rattled home a second Tyrone goal, the Red Hands led 2-11 to 1-11 at half-time.
Spurred by Declan Coulter, Donegal narrowed the gap, but with Casey on song, Tyrone proved too hot to handle.
Donegal laid siege and the post came to Tyrone’s rescue a number of times in the second half.
Tyrone advance to meet Mayo in the final.
Donegal: Luke White; Mark Callaghan, Stephen Gillespie, Christopher McDermott; Danny Cullen (0-1) Jack O’Loughlin, Joe Boyle; Gavin Browne, Sean McVeigh; Bernard Lafferty (0-1) Gerard Gilmore (0-1) Conor O’Grady; Ciaran Matthewson (1-1) Ritchie Ryan (0-2) Declan Coulter (0-15, 12f). Subs: Michael Donohoe, Ruairi Campbell, Ryan Hilferty, Oisin Grant, Niall Clear.
