Donegal open Ulster Minor League with fine win over Tyrone

Donegal scored a welcome win over Tyrone in a richly entertaining affair in Convoy to open their U-17 Ulster Minor Football League campaign.

Donegal 0-12 Tyrone 0-10

The home side, managed by Luke Barrett, were full value for this two-point victory against a Red Hands side who were minus the excellent Ruairí McCullagh and a few other college-tied players.

Donegal dominated for about 40 minutes but had to withstand a late Tyrone surge which they did with some conviction. Up front Shane Callaghan and Conor McCahill were outstanding figures along with Jack Hegarty, while Dara Hennigan was imperious at the back.

Tyrone were forced to get more of their scores from frees while the home side crafted a number of well worked scores. Donegal were well worth their half-time lead of 0-7 to 0-4 which was a good platform for the second half.

Barrett 'really happy with the level of commitment' in win over Tyrone

Donegal manager Luke Barrett acknowledged that Tyrone, who were missing some key players, might be a different proposition later in the year but was more than happy to concentrate on his own team following victory in the Ulster Minor League

McCahill and Hegarty eased them to a 0-2 to 0-0 lead by the sixth minute before Tyrone replied with a free from Aidan Hegarty. Further points from Callaghan and Dylan Mulholland eased Donegal to a 0-4 to 0-2 lead with Hegarty again on target as the home side led by 0-4 to 0-2 by the 12th minute.

It was all Donegal with Callaghan, John Joe Sweeney and McCahill pushing them to a 0-7 to 0-2 lead by the 20th minute. Hegarty landed two more frees for the Red Hands who scored nothing from play in the opening half.

The visitors threw on a few subs and looked sprightly in the second half with midfielder Conor Devlin driving them forward. Conor Holmes got his side’s first point from play but McCahill and Callaghan made it 0-9 to 0-4.

But Tyrone were growing into the game and set about reducing the deficit. Sub Turlough Muldoon from play and a pointed free from wing-back Liam Corry cut Donegal’s dominance and Jamie Concannon left just two points between the sides.

Donegal’s discipline slipped and a few Corry frees left just a point between the sides as Donegal were hanging on to a 0-11 to 0-10 lead. But a well finished Callaghan point after a fine run sealed the deal for the winners.

Tyrone tried hard to tie matters, but Donegal held tight for a deserved victory. A fine win but the concession of 10 frees inside their own half is something to work on for next week’s game with Fermanagh.

Donegal scorers: Shane Callaghan 0-4; Conor McCahill 0-3,1f; Jack Hegarty 0-2; John James Sweeney 0-1; Dylan Mulholland and Donnachadh Boyle 0-1, 1f.

Tyrone scorers: Liam Corry 0-4, 4f, Aidan Hegarty 0-3, 3f; Jamie Concannon, Conor Holmes and Turlough Mulholland 0-1.

Donegal: Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride, (Gaoth Dobhair); Donal Gallagher ( Naomh Bríd), Finn McGinty, (Sean McCumhaills), Callum McCrea (Four Masters); Finbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill), Dara Hennigan (Ardara), Luke Clerkin (Dungloe); Oisin Scanlon (St Eunan’s), Lorcan McGee (Cloughaneely); Jack Hegarty (Naomh Ultan), Shane Callaghan (Naomh Columba), John James Sweeney (Termon); Dylan Mulholland (Buncrana), Conor McCahill (Four Masters), Eoin Gallagher (Naomh Bríd). Subs: Tiernan Ward (Naomh Conaill) for John James Sweeney (43), Donnachadh Boyle, (Cloughaneely) for Dylan Mulholland, Gavin Doherty (Killybegs) for Jack Hegarty (50), Eoin Scott (Glenswilly) for Luke Clerkin (57).

Tyrone: Jude Curran; Aidan Colton, James Corry, Sean Corry; Liam Corry, Blaine Lynch, Conal Morgn; Conor Devlin, Ronan Bradley; Conor Holmes, Aidan Hegarty, Kelvin Nelson; Jamie Concannon, Owen O’Neill Liam Lawne. Subs; Turlough Mulholland for Ronan Bradley; Liam McGeary for Liam Lawne (h-time), Tommy Taggart for Kelvin Nelson (43), James McCann for Conor Holmes (50) Eoin Canavan for Eoin O’Neill (56)

Referee: James Lewis (Fermanagh)