Donegal 3-16Tyrone 0-17

Holders Tyrone suffered their first defeat in this season’s U20 Championship when they were well beaten by Donegal in Ballybofey.

It was a game that the home side always looked in control off on a night when they played some superb football to more or less secure top spot in the group and a home semi final. Tyrone will be disappointed on a night when they never really got going and defeat means that now face a quarter final.

Donegal produced some superb football in the opening half and were full value for their 1-10 to 0-5 lead. Seanan Carr fisted the opening score and after Shane Callaghan had converted a free Conor McCahill took a fine score for a 0-3 to 0-1 lead.

Full forward Ruairi McCullagh opened Tyrone’s account in the 7th minute from a free for the start of a good spell for the visitors. McCullagh, Noah Grimes and Conor Devlin all registered to leave it all square at the end of the opening quarter.

That was as good as it got for Tyrone as they managed just another point during the opening period. Carr and McCahill had Donegal points with Noah Grimes responding for Tyrone. In the 23rd minute Mark McDevitt burst through to finish low to the net for a brilliant individual goal.

Tyrone were in trouble with Donegal on top throughout the field although six wides didn’t help the visitors. Midfielder Kevin Muldoon knocked over a two pointer from a free with Carr and McCahill on target from play to leave the hosts well in control.

Any hope that Tyrone had of mounting a second half comeback ended three minutes after the restart when McCahill scored a brilliant goal. Conor O Neill hit a two pointer in response with Darragh Donaghy and Conan Devlin also on target but Donegal were still comfortable.

Carr, McCahill, Shane Callaghan and substitute Dylan Mulholland all pointed with Shea McDermott landing a two pointer at the other end of the field in response. Donegal carved open Tyrone near the end for Mulholland to put the icing on the cake with goal number three.

O’Neill had the final say of the game with a converted two point free but they were second best on the night as Donegal emerged emphatic and deserving winners.