Tyrone 2-17
Donegal 1-13

Alan Foley reports from Ballybofey

TYRONE WILL FACE Monaghan next Sunday in an all-Ulster All-Ireland semi-final after an excellent final quarter saw off Donegal in a tense encounter in Ballybofey.

Mickey Harte’s team, who knew a draw would suffice as a result of their superior scoring difference, were 1-11 to 0-10 down midway through the second half but managed to outscore their hosts 2-7 to 0-2 in the final 15 minutes plus injury time.

Substitute Harry Loughran tucked home from close range to swing the balance of power towards Tyrone following a fisted pass by Tiarnan McCann on 62 minutes. Declan McClure added a second Tyrone goal with the final kick of the match.

A goal for Tyrone from Harry Loughran. pic.twitter.com/hwOR8VClKV

— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 5, 2018

It was Donegal’s first loss in league or championship in Ballybofey in 21 matches — since the 2010 Ulster SFC loss to Down — and for the middle third of the contest they looked the most likely to win.

Michael Murphy’s goal had given the Ulster champions the initiative. The Donegal captain smashed past Niall Morgan just 15 seconds into first-half injury time after the Tyrone goalkeeper’s short kick-out to Padraig Hampsey was intercepted by Ryan McHugh.

That gave Donegal a half-time advantage of 1-6 to 0-6 with the last score of the opening 35 minutes coming from a free from Connor McAlliskey.

For long spells in the first half things were frequently cagey with both teams content to funnel 15 men behind the ball, but it was Tyrone who settled the better. By the 20th minute they were 0-4 to 0-2 in front thanks to Mattie Donnelly’s score that clipped the upright on its way over and Donegal hadn’t scored from play at that juncture.

Declan McClure with a late Tyrone goal. pic.twitter.com/LqGMJJf4Hr

— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 5, 2018

Donegal, even before Murphy’s goal, began to come into the ascendency. Points from McHugh and Ciaran Thompson levelled it at 0-4 before Jamie Brennan snuck around Frank Burns to punch over and give the home side the lead for the first time.

Three up at the break, Donegal’s Michael Langan opened the second half scoring before Mickey Harte threw Lee Brennan into the fray. The Tyrone substitute made an instant impact, scoring twice, although with the game becoming more and more stretched, it suited the likes of Odhran MacNiallais, who popped over two stylish points.

By the midpoint of the second half, Donegal were holding onto their three-point lead, but Tyrone moved up a gear and Declan Bonner’s side just couldn’t live with them.

From then on, it was all Tyrone and they are now just one match off a first All-Ireland final appearance since 2008.

Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy (1-2, 1f, 45), Jamie Brennan (0-3), Odhran MacNiallais (0-2), Ryan McHugh, Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan, Paddy McGrath, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Niall O’Donnell (0-1).

Scorers for Tyrone: Lee Brennan (0-4, 1f), Harry Loughran, Declan McClure (1-0), Connor McAlliskey (0-2, 2f), Padraig Hampsey, Mattie Donnelly (0-2), Peter Harte, Niall Morgan (0-1, 1f) Tiarnan McCann, Mark Bradley, Colm Cavanagh, Kieran McGeary, Ronan McNamee (0-1).

DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Stephen McMenamin, Neil McGee, Paddy Mcgrath; Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Eamonn Doherty, Frank McGlynn; Michael Murphy, Hugh McFadden; Ryan McHugh, Michael Langan, Leo McLoone; Ciaran Thompson, Odhran McNiallais, Jamie Brennan.

Subs: Paul Brennan for C Thompson (49), Niall O’Dnnell for MacNiallais (56), Anthony Thompson for McGlynn (61), Martin McElhinney for Langan (63), Martin O’Reilly for McLoone (68), Mark McHugh for McGrath (70+2).

TYRONE: Niall Morgan; Michael McKernan; Ronan McNamee, Frank Burns; Tiarnan McCann (0-1), Mattie Donnelly, Cathal McShane; Colm Cavanagh, Padraig Hampsey; Conor Meyler, Peter Harte, Niall Sludden; Connor McAlliskey, Mark Bradley, Richard Donnelly.

Subs: Rory Brennan for McKernan (6, black card), Lee Brennan and Kieran McGeary for R Donnelly and Burns (39), Harry Loughran for McAlliskey (48), Conall McCann for McShane (54), Declan McClure for Sludden (68).

Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).