More Ballybofey misery for Tyrone

DONEGAL 2-10 TYRONE 0-12

Ballybofey proved yet again to be a bogey ground for Tyrone as they fell to a four point league defeat on Saturday night to heighten their relegation concerns at the foot of the Division One table.

It’s seventeen years (2005) since the Red Hands last took the spoils at Pairc MacCumhaill in an NFL contest and that depresssing sequence continued as injury time goals in either half helped to see hosts Donegal across the winning line.

Tyrone were able to welcome back some of their big hitters who had to sit out the Kildare victory because of suspension and while they fell behind early on when Patrick McBrearty (free) and Ryan McHugh slotted scores, they soon wrested a firm grip on proceedings.

With Conn Kilpatrick, Frank Burns and Niall Sludden among those dictating affairs, the visitors worked their way into the contest despite playing into a stiff first half breeze.

Darragh Canavan and Darren McCurry (free) levelled matters, before McBrearty and Michael McKernan traded points.

The latter score was the first of five points that Tyrone reeled off in succession, putting the cap on some polished and purposeful approach work with assured finishes.

Darren McCurry (free), Conn Kilpatrick and Richard Donnelly each split the posts, the Trillick man a sub for the unfortunate Padraig McNulty who appeared to sustain a serious injury in an aerial collsion with Odhran McFadden Ferry.

Tyrone seemed in the box seat but in injury time Donegal received a timely boost when Conor O’Donnell fisted to the net after a bustling run from McBrearty and a booming effort from midfielder Jason McGee restored parity at the break. (1-4 to 0-7)

McCurry and Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton swapped pointed frees on the restart and it was tit for tat throughout an engrossing second period.

With McCurry bringing his personal tally to five points (three frees) Tyrone were always in contention and it took a brilliant fingertip save from Pattom to deny McKernan a goal.

Sub Oisin Gallen edged Donegal one ahead as the match ticked into stoppage time and with ther visitors wasting several opportunities to equalise, sub Jeaic McKelvey sealed victory for the hosts right at the death when he fisted home from close range.

The Teams

Donegal

Shaun Patton (0-1, free), Caolan Ward, Brendan McCole, Stephen McMenamin, Ryan McHugh (0-1), Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Odhran McFadden Ferr, Hugh McFadden, Jason McGee (0-1), Shane O’Donnell (0-1), Peader Morgan, Ciaran Thompson, Patrick McBrearty (0-2,1 free), Conor O’Donnell (1-3), Niall O’Donnell. Subs used: Jeaic McKelvey (1-0) for N O’Donnell (35 mins), Oisin Gallen (0-1) for H McFadden (60), Daire O Baoill for S O’Donnell (67), Ethan O’Donnell for O McFadden Ferry (67)

Tyrone

Niall Morgan, Michael McKernan (0-2), Padraig Hampsey, Frank Burns, Niall Sludden, Johnny Monroe (0-1), Kieran McGeary, Conn Kilpatrick (0-1), Brian Kennedy, Nathan Donnelly, Darragh Canavan (0-1), Conor Meyler, Darren McCurry (0-5, 3 frees), Padraig McNulty, Paul Donaghy. Subs used: Richard Donnelly (0-1) for P McNulty (20 mins), Cathal McShane (0-1) for P Donaghy (56), Conor McKenna for K McGeary (67)

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)