Tyrone Minors Defeat Donegal

Saturday 05.04.2025

County

Tyrone 1-15 1-13 Donegal

Tyrone maintained their unbeaten start to their season, defeating Donegal in a highly entertaining tussle, to claim the Ulster Minor league and lift the Jim McGuigan Cup.

A sun kissed Glen played host to the game with Tyrone having wind advantage in the first half. A dominant opening quarter saw the winners lead 5 -1 at the midpoint of the half with a two pointer from Peter Colton opening the scoring with James Mulgrew, Joel Kerr and James Daly also on target. Thomas Lenehan responded for Donegal. A feature of the half being a determined Tyrone defence forcing several turnovers and giving a talented Donegal forward unit little space. Things nearly got even better for Tyrone but Mark Kennedy’s palmed effort was ruled out for a square ball infringement.

A second two pointer from Colton extended the lead in the 20th minute, and moments later Thomas Meenan was unlucky to see his shot come back off the post after a super run from Joel Kerr. A brace of Eoin Long free kicks pushed Tyrone further in front with Donegal’s sole response a Cathal Doherty point.

Tyrone would have been disappointed not to have been further in front and Donegal’s late rally saw them remarkably only lead by three at the interval following late scores from Lenehan, Sweeney and Tomas Carr.

A Joel Kerr free got the second half up and running but it was Donegal who hit  something of a purple patch. Joseph Gibbons fired over and minutes later he expertly used the wind to claim a two pointer. The game’s first goal arrived on 39 minutes. Donegal’s ability to win break ball was becoming apparent and when Tomas Carr received the ball he drove at the Tyrone defence before releasing his Four Masters team mate Thomas Lenehan to drill to the net.

Crucially Tyrone reacted swiftly points from Meenan, Kerr and Matthew Daly cancelled out the goal and edged Tyrone back in front. Shane Sweeney levelled the game as the momentum swung one way and then the other in a hugely enjoyable contest. An excellent Kerr score was cancelled out by Kalvin McLoughlin as the game entered its final quarter.

In the 47th minute a Cathal Farley pass found Eoin Long who drove forward along the end line before centring to Matthew Daly whose fisted effort was stopped by a combination of keeper and bar, but the rebound fell to Farley who bundled the ball home. Lenehan from a free and a quality Sweeney score left the minimum between the teams again.

An important point from Eoin Long with five minutes remaining. proved the final score as Donegal’s shot selection let them down. Tyrone hanging on for a deserved victory.

Both management teams will take plenty from the game, which was perfect preparation for the forthcoming Ulster championship and it would be fare to assume that the teams will cross paths later in the season.

Tyrone captain Padraig Donaghy (Carrickmore) accepted the Jim McGuigan Cup from Ulster President Michael Geoghegan.