Tyrone hurlers suffer heavy defeat as Donegal run riot

Tyrone 0-10  Donegal 5-18

THE Tyrone hurlers suffered what was probably their heaviest ever defeat to Donegal in Saturday’s Christy Ring Cup clash at Carrickmore- a devastating 23-point loss that leaves their campaign hanging by a thread.

There had been hopes for a competitive contest, with both counties searching for a first win in the competition. For the Red Hands, there was also the added incentive of ending their 2025 losing streak.

But the manner of defeat will cause serious concern for Stephen McGarry’s side. With daunting ties against Derry and London still to come, Tyrone now face an uphill battle to retain their status at this level.

The game was effectively decided by three first-half goals for Donegal -two from Josh Connolly-Magee and a third from Declan Coulter – that opened up a commanding lead Tyrone never looked like overturning.

Former Tyrone player Gerard Gilmore opened the scoring for Donegal, and they led by two when Liam McKinney also fired over.

Rory Weir responded for the Red Hands, before two goals in quick succession left them facing an uphill battle even at that early stage.

Josh Connolly-Magee got the first after taking a pass from Declan Coulter, and Magee soon added a second after good work from Ronan McDermott.

Donegal were now 2-3 to 0-1 ahead with less than ten minutes gone in the game. Urgent action was required from Tyrone to tighten thing up in the defence.

They delivered on that call emphatically as Dean Rafferty, Cormac Munroe and Fionn Devlin cut off the supply to the Donegal attack.

This was better from Tyrone: James McCann and Seamus Sweeney gained a foothold at midfield and the dividends were soon being yielded thanks to some fine scores to settle them up front.

Five points in quick succession brought Tyrone right back into contention.

Sean Duffin got things going with a great long range score. Then Rory Weir also fired over, before they both added further scores.

Suddenly the score was 2-3 to 0-6 and stage was set for a contest in keeping with the rich tradition of recent meetings between the counties.

But just as it seemed that Tyrone were on course to sustain their revival, Donegal gained another rich vein of form.

Points from Declan Coulter, Ryan Hilferty and Liam McKinney extended their lead again.

Goal number three came in the 30th minute. An initial shot from Peter Kelly was brilliantly saved by Conor McElhatton, only for the sliotair to break to Declan Coulter who scrambled the ball into the net from close range.

Donegal led now by 3-7 to 0-6, and further scores from Ronan McDermott, Gerard Gilmore, Luke White and Declan Coulter further extended their advantage to 3-10 to 0-7, with Sean Duffin getting Tyrone’s only response.

Tyrone were determined to up the tempo upon the resumption but things didn’t work out according to plan.

Early scores after the restart put maintained Donegal’s control with Josh Connolly-Magee, Gerard Gilmore and Shane McVeigh all registering points.

Although Sean Duffin responded for Tyrone, the situation facing them became increasingly-difficult as the half progressed.

Entering the final quarter, it was clear that Donegal would not be beaten.

While Tyrone continued to battle and Dean Rafferty, Cormac Munroe and Ronan Molloy kept working, the game was now beyond them.

Points from Sean Duffin, Lorcan Devlin and Mickey Little boosted their tally, but it was never going to be enough.

Instead, Declan Coulter, Brian McIntyre, Gerard Gilmore and Josh Connolly-Magee put Donegal 4-18 to 0-10 ahead.

Then came the icing on the cake for Donegal and the final nail in the Tyrone coffin.

A penalty was awarded and goalkeeper Luke White came forward to slam the ball to the net and complete Donegal’s victory with the very last puck of the game.

Scorers