Mixed emotions for Donegal manager McCann after Tyrone draw

Donegal manager Mickey McCann felt a mix of disappointment and relief following Saturday’s draw with Tyrone in Division 2B of the Allianz Hurling League in Healy Park, Omagh.

The Burt club man was also far from happy with the officiating of Antrim official Kevin Parke and a lot of his free calls against Donegal. 

“I’m slightly disappointed because I thought we played better hurling  but just gave away too many frees which ended up in scores.

“I would question a lot of the referee’s decisions to be honest; that free against Sean McVeigh, don’t know what it was for.

“Their goal came from Conor Gartland getting a big hit and the ball went down the field and they scored the goal.

“Every time we went three up we gave away fouls and I would question some of them. You train a team to play with a level of intensity but you come out today and you get blown up for it.

“So I would not be happy about that. But at the same time I thought we baltled well against a good Tyrone team,” said McCann. 

“Even after the goal we went three up again but they clawed us back. But that is Tyrone all over. There has been nothing between the teams since I took the job. They never die, they keep going and going. 

“It would  have been a bad one to lose. In the last couple of minutes we would have taken a draw because it could have gone either way.” 
https://www.donegallive.ie/news/gaa/1432297/donegal-and-tyrone-cant-be-separated-in-division-2b-clash-in-omagh.html

Donegal and Tyrone are both chasing one of the coveted top three positions in the league and promotion to a new look Division Two of the Allianz League. 

“A point each today will do us no harm in the bid for a top three finish. Obviously two would be far  better but  making the top three is still in our own hands if we get a result in Roscommon, it will  leave us in a good position playing London at home on the last day. 

“When it is in your own hands you have no one to blame, which is good.” 

Veteran freetaker Aidy Kelly tied up the game for the ninth and final time two minutes into added time to earn Tyrone  a share of the points. The game ended Donegal 0-20 to Tyrone’s 1-17.