February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Donegal 3-11
Tyrone 1-9
Donegal were already leading Ulster rivals Tyrone 0-4 to 0-1 when McGettigan struck for a well-taken goal. The New York manager then set up Gareth Kelly for Donegal’s second goal after a fine side step. Paul Higgins won a lot of possession for Donegal as he dominated the middle of the park along with his midfield partner Nicky Doherty.
Tyrone had trouble getting possession and when they did gain control, their finishing was not up to par. Center forward Barry McElduff looked dangerous at times, but it wasn’t until Tryone had fallen out of contention that he began to find his range.
Trailing 2-7 to 0-2 in first-half injury time, Tyrone full forward Liam Briody was denied by the woodwork when a goal could have inspired his side. Martin Penrose did manage a buzzer beating point for Tyrone, but Donegal went to the half with a commanding 2-7 to 0-3 lead.
Donegal played poorly in their only previous match this season, and despite this comfortable win, they clearly are not yet the force they have been in recent years. Liam England will help. The Tipperary county midfielder brings a lot of strength and footballing skill to the Donegal side and he was a presence at center forward against Tyrone.
Tyrone, also playing only their second match of the 2003 season, caught Donegal back on their heels when Pat McGuire hit the net in the first minute of the second half. Perhaps Maguire’s goal could shake Tyrone from their doldrums and ignite a comeback? Perhaps not.
England pointed for Donegal and then Nicky Doherty picked off a Donegal clearance and his long ball found Anthony Kelly. Kelly, who has shown himself to be a dependable free taker, did the job from play and scored a devastating goal. Kelly followed with a point and then England bounced one over the crossbar and Tyrone must have realized that it was just one of those days.
With Donegal now leading 3-10 to 1-3, Tyrone finally, belatedly located the goalposts. The final 10 minutes saw Tyrone outscore Donegal 0-6 to 0-1, but that was only good enough to improve the final scoreline to 3-11 to 1-9.
It was a bad day for Tyrone as they fell to 0-2 in a manner that left precious little cause for optimism. Similarly, Donegal, 1-1, despite their handy victory will undoubtedly realize that they have much work to do if they are to have a chance at a remarkable fourth straight Senior Football Championship.
Man of the Match: Paul Higgins
Donegal: Eunan Doherty, Brian McDermott, Marty Meehan, Mark McClafferty, Damien McClafferty (0-1), Philip Sloan, Kieran Doyle, Nicky Doherty, Paul Higgins, Anthony Kelly (1-5, 3 frees), Liam England (0-2), Anton Diver, Connie Molloy (0-1), Gareth Kelly (1-0), Leslie McGettigan (1-2). Sub: Pat McGill.
Tyrone: Terry Tracy, Ray Heagney, Barry Toal, Padraig Daly (0-1), Darren Flanagan, Owen Devine, Fergal Brennan, Danny Barr, Ian Quigley, Ger Flanagan, Barry McElduff (0-4), Martin Penrose (0-3, 1 free), Patrick Maguire (1-1), Liam Briody, Eamon Fennell.