Disappointing Defeat For Tyrone

Saturday 08.06.2019

 

Tyrone 0-15 Donegal 1-16

Tyrone produced a disappointing display at Breffni Park on Saturday evening when they crashed out of the Ulster championship at the hands of neighbours Donegal.

 

Only four points may have separated the sides at the final whistle but there is no doubt that scoreline flattered the Red Hands. From the start Donegal played with greater intensity that their opponents failed to match. The winners were seven points in front at the break and were full value for that advantage. Tyrone did close the gap in the second half but at no stage did they look like gaining a fourth consecutive victory in the championship over Donegal. It was a day when Tyrone failed to play the football that they are capable off making too many elementary mistakes and not getting to the same level as their opponents. On the day though they can have no complaints as the better side won and Donegal march onto the decider were they will be fancied to retain the Anglo Celt Cup.

 

Tyrone opened the scoring after only fourteen seconds via Captain Mattie Donnelly but Donegal skipper Michael Murphy, who was outstanding throughout, levelled matters from a “45”. Richard Donnelly then edged Tyrone in front in the 4th minute but that proved to be the last time that they would lead. The next kick out saw Paddy McGrath and Eoghan Ban Gallagher combine for the superb Jamie Brennan to fire to the net. The same player then tagged on a point before Tyrone’s best performer on the day, Kieran McGeary, hit a great score with the outside of his boot.

 

Brennan had another score and even at this early stage Tyrone looked to be in trouble as Donegal were cutting open their defence far too easily. In the 10th minute Tyrone were dealt a blow when Peter Harte picked up what looked a harsh black card. Donegal were on top and they were unlucky not to get another goal when Brennan’s shot hit the right hand post. Murphy hit a great score before Brian Kennedy burst through the Donegal defence on a surging run but his shot was saved by keeper Shaun Patton. Michael Langan pointed from play with Murphy converting a free before Tyrone keeper Niall Morgan knocked over a long range point from a placed ball. Eoin McHugh and Brennan added to Donegal’s lead before Richard Donnelly was denied a goal by Patton. Murphy had the final say of the opening period with another great score as Donegal held a healthy 1-9 to 0-5 advantage at the short whistle.

 

A Cathal McShane free opened the second half scored before another quality effort from McGeary reduced the deficit to five points. Donegal substitute Ciaran Thompson was then denied a goal by a fine stop from keeper Morgan. Murphy and substitute Darren McCurry exchanged points from frees as did Paddy McBrearty and McShane before Ryan McHugh got forward to split the posts. Tyrone were on the rack and Donegal punished poor play with McBrearty on target again.

 

McCurry pointed from play and McShane from a free with McBrearty taking a fine score from play from an acute angle. Morgan knocked over a 45 but Donegal were always able to respond with midfielder Hugh McFadden the player on target this time. As the game slipped into injury time McCurry, Richard Donnelly and Michael Cassidy all registered and suddenly only a single score divided the two sides. Donegal though didn’t panic and they made sure of their place in the final when defender Stephen McMenamin fisted over the insurance point.

 

Tyrone – Niall Morgan, Padraig Hampsey, Ronan McNamee, Michael McKernan, Tiernan McCann, Ben McDonnell, Liam Rafferty, Colm Cavanagh, Brian Kennedy, Mattie Donnelly, Kieran McGeary, Frank Burns, Cathal McShane, Peter Harte, Richard Donnelly. Subs – Connor McAliskey for Harte [black card], Niall Sludden for Cavanagh, Rory Brennan for Rafferty, Darren McCurry for McDonnell, Michael Cassidy for Burns, Aidan McCrory for McCann

 

Donegal – Shaun Patton, Paddy McGrath, Neil McGee, Stephen McMenamin, Ryan McHugh, Niall O’Donnell, Eoghan Bab Gallagher, Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee, Eoin McHugh, Leo McLoone, Jamie Brennan, Paddy McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Michael Langan. Subs – Ciaran Thompson for J McGee, Daire O’Baoill for E McHugh, Frank McGlynn for McLoone, Oisin Gallen for O’Donnell, Paul Brennan for J Brennan

 

Tyrone scorers – Cathal McShane 0-4 [3F], Darren McCurry 0-3 [1F], Kieran McGeary 0-2, Richard Donnelly 0-2, Niall Morgan 0-2 [1F, 1 “45”], Michael Cassidy 0-1, Mattie Donnelly 0-1,

 

Donegal scorers – Jamie Brennan 1-3, Michael Murphy 0-5 [2F, 1 “45”], Paddy McBrearty 0-3 [1F], Stephen McMenamin 0-1, Ryan McHugh 0-1, Hugh McFadden 0-1, Michael Langan 0-1, Eoin McHugh 0-1

 

Referee – David Gough, Meath