Huge Win In Ballybofey

Sunday 25.05.2025

 

Donegal 0-20 2-17 Tyrone

The All Ireland series got off to an explosive start as Tyrone travelled to Ballybofey and claimed both points after a fully deserved victory over Ulster champions Donegal. In the process they ended Jim McGuinness’s proud unbeaten record at the venue. First half goals from Seanie O’Donnell were significant in the win, but what was more impressive was the character shown to respond after McBrearty had given Donegal a two point lead with eight minutes remaining.

Malachy O’Rourke will be delighted how his side contained the home side, with Michael Langan and Michael Murphy accounting for three quarters of Donegal scores, all of Murphy’s points coming from placed balls.

Heavy rain preceded the throw-in and Donegal struck the opening two scores through Murphy and Langan, who was spectacularly denied by Niall Morgan at the expense of a point.

Tyrone got their opening score in the fifth minute, a point effort from Michael McKernan dropped short and should have been dealt with better by Caolan McGonagle but quick reactions from Seanie O’Donnell saw him flick the ball passed Gavin Mulreavy, who was deputising for the injured Shaun Patton.

A second Langan point was followed by Michael McKernan hitting the target. Tyrone’s directness was causing problems and Darragh Canavan converted a free to stretch the lead to two. Minutes later, Tyrone got their second goal. Conn Kilpatrick cut in from under the stand to find an inrushing Seanie O’Donnell to fire to the net. Tyrone, now five up with fifteen minutes played.

A Murphy 45 was quickly cancelled out by Mark Bradley before Ryan McHugh got on the scoresheet. The first of three two point frees was converted by Murphy, which narrowed the deficit.

Darren McCurry edged Tyrone three up with a trademark point, but the large home support found their voices when a Thompson free and a two point free from Murphy levelled the game with five minutes until the break. At the other end, Tyrone were guilty of missing opportunities from placed balls but a strong finish to the half merited a two point free from McCurry and a point from the excellent Kieran McGeary. Michael Langan kicked the final score to leave two between them at the interval.

The breeze began to pick up as the second half commenced favouring the home side and Ciaran Thompson opened the scoring, but Tyrone were composed with Ben McDonnell and a trio of Darren McCurry points restoring the five points lead with nineteen minutes remaining.

Two huge two pointers from Murphy and Langan seemed to swing the momentum, and when Langan levelled again in the 59th minute the crowd roared their approval.

Tyrone needed a score, and Ciaran Daly fisted over after intelligent play from the recently introduced Peter Harte. Once again however midfielder Langan stepped inside to split the posts with nine to go.

Captain Patrick McBrearty, who had been introduced earlier in the second period, used the wind to guide a two pointer and it felt like a huge score, Donegal leading for the first time since the 4th minute.

Tyrone didn’t panic and learned from the earlier Armagh defeat and completely dominated the remaining eight minutes. McCurry weaved inside for his seventh, Eoin McElholm almost created a goal chance, but he fisted wide, and then Darragh Canavan equalised from a placed ball after he had been fouled.

Mulreavy was now targeting Murphy with the kick outs, but crucially for Tyrone, Peter Teague claimed three huge possessions.

With four minutes on the clock the game’s pivotal moment arrived, Peter Harte picked the ball up beyond the arc before expertly splitting the posts with a delightful effort. Teague won the next kick out and Tyrone maintained possession for two minutes before Cormac Quinn found space inside the arc to stretch the lead to three. The kick out would be the final play of the game, and when Darragh Canavan claimed the ball, the game was won, a memorable victory, especially after losing the services of influential duo Brian Kennedy and Paudie Hampsey to injury.

Hopefully, this performance will wake the Tyrone support from their slumber. Tyrone return to action next Saturday evening when Mayo visits Healy Park in a crucial group game.

Tyrone N Morgan, C Quinn (0-1), P Hampsey, N Devlin, M McKernan (0-1), R Brennan, K McGeary (0-1), B Kennedy and C Kilpatrick, S O’Donnell (2-0), M Donnelly, C Daly (0-1), D McCurry (0-7, 1x2pt f, 1f), M Bradley (0-1), D Canavan (0-2f)

Subs B McDonnell (0-1) for Kennedy, P Teague for Hampsey, P Harte (0-2) for Donnelly, E McElholm for Bradley, F Burns for Brennan