Tyrone 1-21
Donegal 1-12
DONEGAL HAD NO answer to Tyrone’s power and pace as the Red Hand cruised into their second successive Ulster final this afternoon.
This game was over as a contest long before the final whistle as Tyrone defended astutely and attacked with real menace in Clones.
Following a sprightly league campaign, a strong challenge from this young Donegal group was anticipated but it never transpired. Tyrone were well-drilled and picked holes in the Donegal rearguard at will, coupled with some fine shooting from distance.
Tiernan McCann’s 38th minute goal sent them into an unassailable lead while Sean Cavanagh and Rory Brennan blew golden opportunities to hit the net in either half.
Michael Carroll scored a late consolation goal for Donegal but Tyrone were long out of sight by that stage.
On current form Tyrone can consider themselves at the front of the chasing pack behind Kerry and Dublin in the race for Sam. The likes of Ronan O’Neill, Darren McCurry, Conor Meyler were introduced in the second-half, showing the quality of player Mickey Harte could call on from the bench.
Paddy McBrearty was a rare bright spark in the Donegal display and he finished with 0-5, but around him Donegal struggled to create scoring chances.
Tyrone scored 1-21, and 1-19 of their tally came from play in a far more open game than was expected.
Tyrone trailed by 0-2 to no score inside the opening seven minutes, but they slowly started to turn the screw.
Sean Cavanagh missed an early goal chance, but a flurry of scores followed from Peter Harte, Tiernan McCann and Niall Sludden as Tyrone moved a point ahead on 25 minutes.
The Red Hand hit seven unanswered scores before the break to lead by 0-12 to 0-5.
McCann’s 38th minute goal virtually ended the game as a contest. Mark Bradley, Mattie Donnelly, Sludden and O’Neill all chipped in with scores as Tyrone raced further in front.
Carroll hit the net in the 61st minute but it simply meant Donegal avoided a double-digits defeat.
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