Tyrone strike late to snatch victory over Donegal

In Group One of the All-Ireland SFC round-robin series on Saturday, Tyrone scored a late strike in Ballybofey to snatch a 2-17 to 0-20 victory over Donegal.

With eight to play, Ulster champions Donegal had an early lead, but Tyrone responded with a sublime two-pointer to end Jim McGuinness’ perfect run as Donegal manager at MacCumhaill Park.

The Red Hands took control of the game at break, but Seanie O’Donnell’s two first-half goals, one of four late changes to the Tyrone team, gave them the lead.

The hosts’ two players, Michael Langan and Michael Murphy, combined to score seven points from play and eight more, including three two-point frees, did a lot of the action in difficult circumstances.

Tyrone responded with the opener of O’Donnell’s goals in the eighth minute when he was the fastest to react to Michael McKernan’s dropping shot. Donegal had a good start, but Michael McKernan had a few early scores.

Seven minutes later, Conn Kilpatrick gave up the second goal by slot-setting Shaun Patton for a late substitution when he thumped low past Gavin Mulreany.

At the end of the opening period, Tyrone led by five before Donegal grabbed the lead with a pair of two-point frees from Michael Murphy, who helped them come level. However, Darren McCurry responded with one of his own as Tyrone extended their lead by 2-7 to 0-11 at the end of the opening period.

Before Darren McCurry, who finished with 0-7, hit three on the spin to extend the lead to five, the second half was a slow burner as the teams traded points. However, Murphy and Langan both scored as Murphy and Langan both hit two-pointers to bring Donegal back in before Langan levelled.

When Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty was sprung from the bench to score a two-pointer, they were tied at one point heading into the final straight.

Before that inspiring two-pointer from Harte, Tyrone didn’t panic and settled things again.