Tyrone Win In Ballybofey In Association With Alskea

Saturday 24.06.2023

Championship

Tyrone produced a masterful display in their All Ireland preliminary quarter final to see off the challenge of Donegal and qualify for the quarter final next weekend.

The Red Hands went for a statement start and Ruairi Canavan came close to hitting the net inside the first thirty seconds but they did work a goal after two minutes courtesy of the same player. That goal helped keep Donegal at arm’s length throughout the first half and with points from Mc Curry, Mc Kernan and Darragh Canavan Tyrone moved 1-3 to 0-1 ahead early on.

With Tyrone dominating midfield and putting pressure on Patton’s kicks Donegal struggled to win possession and create chances but having won the toss and needing to make a game of it they were forced to work hard for scores.

Tyrone reached the break five in front but knew that Donegal would move through the gears wind assisted in the second half. However defensively Tyrone were ravenous after the restart and turned them over time after time. Mc Curry(2) and Canavan pointed to stretch their lead but points from Oisin Gallen, Ciaran Thompson and Shawn Patton helped keep them in the game.

Conor Meyler, Ciaran Mc Geary, Mattie Donnelly and Peter Harte were superb and anything that got beyond them was snapped up by Mickey O’Neill, Ronan Mc Namee, Michael Mc Kernan and Hampsey as a resolute Tyrone defence worked hard to keep the chances to a minimum.

Mc Curry and Thompson swapped scores before a marauding run from Conn Kilpatrick resulted in one of the points of the evening. Tyrone were in control and although Donegal could  point to a disallowed goal from a late free forty five metres out the visitors were not to be denied.

Donegal found themselves down to fourteen players when goalkeeper Patton received a late red card following an altercation after a Tyrone score. Luke Mc Glynn landed a late point but Tyrone wrapped it up with two great points, firstly from Darragh Canavan and a wonder score from the outstanding Donnelly.

Final score Tyrone 1-18, Donegal 0-13