Entertaining eight goal clash sees Tyrone hurlers into final

Donegal 3-14 Tyrone 5-9

FOUR goals in the opening eight minutes of this semi-final at Letterkenny and eight overall set the tempo for another tight contest between these old rivals as Tyrone hurlers progressed to the National League Division Two Final courtesy of a hard-fought victory.

It was the second meeting between the counties already this year. Both were in bonus territory with promotion already secured to Division Two for 2025, but there was no sense of complacency from either set of players here.

Just 16 seconds elapsed when Donegal struck for goal number one. A great run through from Liam McKinney saw him set up Peter Kelly who shot to the net. That gave the home side a dream start, which was to get even better within minutes.

Points from Lorcan Devlin and Ben Gormley settled Tyrone, before they were hit with a second Donegal goal. On this occasion, Sean McVeigh fired to the net after good work from Oisin Grant. That left them 2-0 to 0-2 ahead, as they made light of the absence of their Setanta regulars.

Urgent action was needed from Tyrone to stem the tide. Good work around midfield from Fionn Devlin, Tiernan Morgan and Cormac Munroe stopped the opposition onslaught. They were rewarded at the other end when Munroe took a pass from Joe McToal to leave just the minimum between them with a goal.

That goalfest was completed just moments later when the Red Hands once again struck. This time it was Joe McToal who score to put them 2-2 to 2-1 ahead after good work from Sean Og Grogan.

It was perhaps inevitable that the scorching pace set in those opening stages would not, and couldn’t be, maintained. Instead, the middle part of that first half turned into a battle of attrition as both counties sought to finally establish some authority on proceedings.

For Tyrone, Ben Gormley, Bryan McGurk and Seamus Sweeney all impressed, while Stephen Gillespie, Conor Gartland and the roving Daire O Maoileidigh worked hard. However, scores were at a premium in contrast to the opening stages, as efforts from Fionn Devlin and Sean Og Grogan for the visitors were cancelled out by Liam McKinney for Donegal.

Just when it seemed that the respective defences had gained the measure of their attacking counterparts, three more goals were to follow in quick succession before half-time. But those strikes failed to really change the complexion of the tie.

Sean Og Grogan was alert to fire home from close range after a long ball in from Tiernan Morgan. Moments later, Lorcan Devlin was on hand to hit the net for a fourth Red Hand goal. That left them enjoying a 4-4 to 2-3 advantage, and looking determined to consolidate it.

They remained on top on the scoreboard at least, although Donegal’s third goal was a setback. It came from Peter Kelly and was a carbon-copy of the first one as he slammed home after good work from Liam McKinney.

Tyrone’s Aidan Kelly, who was hero of their win over Wicklow with 18 points, got his first score to leave it 4-5 to 3-3 at the interval, and set up an intriguing second half.

It was Donegal, though, who came out best in the initial minutes on the restart. They dominated in terms of possession, and points from Peter Kelly and Liam McKinney appeared to to be hastening a change in the game.

Tyrone’s Tiernan Morgan spearheaded a period of control for the Red Hands. He fired over a brilliant point from an acute angle as they suddenly found their range. Goal number five then arrived, with Bryan McGurk starting the move which culminated in Tiernan Morgan pulled home from close range after a shot by Sean Og Grogan had been saved.

Seven points now separated the sides and, as Brian McIntyre reduced the deficit, the stage was set for an intriguing final quarter.

It was the Donegal side who really pressed on subsequently. They pressed strongly and were soon very much back in contention and seeking an equaliser. Conor O’Grady and Peter Kelly both fired over, then Conor Gartland won possession from a tough tussle for possession to score. Moments later Jack O’Loughlin also scored to leave them three in arrears with time fast running out.

A brace of points courtesy of Oisin Marley reduced the deficit to the minimum as the Tyrone defence had to really battle hard to keep their opponents at bay. Oran McKee, Dean Rafferty and Ben Gormley all made vital interceptions as the Red Hands sought to hold out.

Rory Weir and Cormac Munroe briefly eased their nerves as normal time ended.

Late points from Brian McIntyre and Conor Gartland ensured that the issue was in doubt right to the finish when Donegal goalkeeper, Luke White, had a chance for the equaliser go just wide.

The Scorers
Tyrone
Sean Og Grogan 1-1, Tiernan Morgan 1-1, Cormac Munroe 1-1, Joe McToal 1-0, Lorcan Devlin 1-0, Aidan Kelly 0-2 (2f), Rory Weir 0-1, Ben Gormley 0-1, Lorcan Devlin 0-1, Fionn Devlin 0-1.
Donegal
Peter Kelly 2-3, Sean McVeigh 1-1, Liam McKinney 0-3 (2f), Brian McIntyre 0-2, Conor Gartland 0-2, Oisin Marley 0-2, Jack O’Loughlin 0-1, Conor O’Grady 0-1.

The Teams
Tyrone
Conor McElhatton, Seamus Sweeney, Dean Rafferty, Oran McKee, Ben Gormley, Fionn Devlin, Bryan McGurk, James McCann, Cormac Munroe, Tiernan Morgan, Aidan Kelly, Joe McToal, Turlough Mullin, Sean Og Grogan, Lorcan Devlin.
Subs: Rory Weir for J McToal (half-time), Ruairi Devlin for T Mullin (62), Anthony Crossan for T Morgan (65).
Donegal
Luke White, Oisin Kelly, Ciaran Bradley, Gavin Browne, Jack O’Loughlin, Stephen Gillespie, Conor O’Grady, Conor Gartland, Liam McKinney, Ryan Hilferty, Oisin Grant, Brian McIntyre, Daire O Maoileidigh, Sean McVeigh, Peter Kelly.
Subs: Oisin Markey for D O Maoileidigh (54), Cathal O’Brien for C O’Grady (70).

Referee: Peter Owens, Down.