The Donegal Masters recorded their second win of the season last night with a hard-fought victory over Tyrone at Colaiste Ailigh.
Donegal 1-9 Tyrone 0-9
Val Murray’s Donegal team had led by two points at half-time and although their lead in the second-half was never less than that, Tyrone were always in this keenly contested match and a goal for them at any stage could have led to a different result at the end.
The teams shared eight points evenly in the opening twenty minutes, the first seven of those from play.
John Haran put Donegal ahead, Terry Donnelly replied with two for Tyrone, Benny Cassidy equalised before Eamonn Mc Ilroy restored Tyrone lead but Brian McLaughlin kicked two fine points from play to put Donegal back in front, and it was level again when Mark Donnelly scored from a 40mts free.
Donegal also created a goal chance in this period when a fine move put Gerard Mc Grenra through but on his weaker left foot the Glenswilly man couldn’t get the power required and keeper Ciaran Leonard was able to save diving to his left.
In the 23rd minute Donegal got what proved to be the game’s key score, McGrenra played a super long ball into John Haran, the St. Eunans man held off two defenders before hand passing inside to Brian McLaughlin and despite been under pressure from keeper Leonard and another defender the St.Michaels man managed to get his shot away and into the roof of the net to leave three in it for the first time in the game.
That was shortlived however as Tyrone hit back with a Liam Patterson point after an excellent move and then a fine free by Mark Donnelly to leave only a point init in the 26th minute.
Another super long ball inside by McGrenea found McLaughlin behind the defence but this time the big full forward blasted wide although it looked like he has a case for a foul just as he was in the act of shooting but Referee O’Donnell wasn’t interested. Donegal did have the final say of the half when a fine move was ended with a well taken point by Paul Gallagher, to leave it 1-05 to 0-06 at the break.
The second-half was again keenly contested and referee Robbie O Donnell had to flash a few cards to calm things down as tempers became somewhat frayed at times.
Scores were had to come by as handling mistakes creeped in on a now slippy playing surface. In fact only seven points in total were scored, Brian Mc Laughlin opening the scoring to leave three in it but Terry Donnelly replied quickly for Tyrone.
John Haran and Mark Donnelly then exchanged scores, and it was out to three again when big midfielder David Mc Shane burst forward to score in the 44th minute. Fourteen scoreless minutes followed before Mc Shane did the same again to leave four between them for the first time in the match.
Sub Denis King kicked a final point for Tyrone but Donegal held on to record their second victory in the competition and now move on to an away fixture with Monaghan next time out.
Donegal: Martin Gillespie, Charlie Doherty, John A McMullin, Packie McGrath, Seamus Mc Ginty, Eamonn Doherty, Michael McShane, David McShane (0-2), Charlie Gallagher, Paul Gallagher (0-1),Gerard McGrenra, John Haran (0-2), Benny Cassidy (0-1), Brian McLaughlin (1-3), Stephen McGonigle. Subs used: Eddie Gallagher, Kerry Ryan, Paul McGlynn, Martin McShane, Sean McDaid, Dermot McColgan, Kevin McGettigan, Johnny McGinty, Charlie McGinty.
Tyrone: Ciaran Leonard, Gary Mc Cann, Kevin Mc Menamin, Stephen O’Neill, Liam Patterson (0-1),Stevie Dooher, Paul Sweeney, Conrad Quinn, Richard O’Neill, Darren Patton, Eamonn McIlroy (0-1), Terry Donnelly (0-3), Niall Corry, Gerard McWilliams, Mark Donnelly (0-3f). Subs used: Brian Mc Callion, Denis King (0-1), Dean Molloy, Andy McSorley, Mark Darcy, Raymond Gormley, Chris Gallen.
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