Donegal minors put their best foot forward to get big win over Tyrone

Donegal recorded a great win over Tyrone in the Ulster Minor Championship at a windy Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon.

Tyrone have been Donegal’s bogey team for many years but Barry Ward’s charges were on top for most of the game. With 10 different scorers, this was the most impressive performance by a Donegal minor team in a number of years.

The new-look half-back line of Max Campbell, Cathal Ó Gallagher and Pauric Devine was a big driving force in the win with Colm Ó Dochartaigh revelling in his new role at corner-forward, finishing with 2-2

Even in the first half, Donegal were very comfortable against the breeze and a goal just before half-time put them on their way to victory.

The wind was again a factor in Fr Tierney Park and Donegal were against the elements in the opening half.

They got off to the perfect start with Max Campbell making a great run on the stand side and he found Conor McCahill coming in along the endline to fist over.

There was 12 minutes on the clock before Tyrone opened their account, centre-half back Davin McKeown lofting over from distance.

Liam McGeary pushed the Red Hands ahead from a free but Donegal, after dropping two frees short, levelled matters through Conor McCahill from a free on 18 minutes.

Tyrone had the next three points with Liam McGeary converting after receiving a long ball while Davin McKeown converted a '45' and Lorcan McMurray left it 0-5 to 0-2 after 25 minutes.

Paddy Ward won a free for Tomás Carr to add Donegal's third point but Jamie Concannon cancelled that score a minute before the half-time whistle.

But there was to be a good finish to the half for Donegal as they worked a great goal. Colm Ó Doherty first timed to the net after Paddy Ward and Conor McCahill were involved in the build-up.

Half-time: Donegal 1-3, Tyrone 0-6.

Donegal had an even better start to the second half with a goal inside 35 seconds and a point on four minutes. The goal came after Max Campbell launched a shot for a point and Paddy Ward got on the end of it. The breaking ball was not cleared and Colm Ó Dochartaigh nipped in to toe to the net.

Eoghan Bán McNelis added the point and further points flowed from Luke McGuinness (drop kick), a beautiful Turlough Carr free and Paddy Ward with his left for a 2-7 to 0-6 lead after 41 minutes.

Max Campbell added another on 45 minutes but Tyrone got a soft goal on 51 minutes, Lorcan McMurray allowed in too easy to shoot low to the net.

Just like he did last week, Donnachadh Ó Baoighill pointed with his first touch coming on as a sub. Peter Colton had a rare point at the other end but Donegal closed out the game with two points from the excellent Colm Ó Dochartaigh and a beauty from distance from Pauric Devine, another who showed up really well.

With the game petering out Lorcan McMurray had the final point for the visitors.

Donegal scorers: Colm Ó Dochartaigh 2-2; Conor McCahill 0-2,1f; Pauric Devine, Luke McGuinness, Turlough Carr (f), Tomás Carr (f), Eoghan Ban McNelis,Max Campbell Paddy Ward and Donnachadh Ó Baoighill 0-1 each.

Tyrone scorers: Lorcan McMurray 1-2; Liam McGeary 0-2,1f; Davin McKeown 0-2,1’45’; Jamie Concannon, Peter Colton 0-1 each.

Donegal: Padraig McBride; Elliot Friel, Jordi Gribben, Cathal McAoidh; Pauric Devine, Cathal Ó Gallahoir, Max Campbell; Kalvin McLaughlin, Luke McGuinness; Turlough Carr, Tomás Carr, Eoghan Ban McNelis; Colm Ó Dochartaigh, Paddy Ward, Conor McCahill.

Subs: Alex Cunnea for McNelis (50); Donnachadh Ó Baoighill for M Campbell (52); Sean O’Carroll for Ward (53); Shane McCormick for McGuinness (60+1)

Tyrone: Oisin Watson; Paul McGinley, Padraig Goodman, Eoghan Conway; Thomas Meenan, Davin McKeown, Aodhán Quinn; Enda Donaghy, Darren McAnespie; Padraig Donaghy, Jamie Concannon, Sean Óg Teague; Lorcan McMurray, Darragh Devlin, Liam McGeary.

Subs: Peter McGoldrick and Peter Colton for Meenan and Devlin (ht); Shea McDermott for McKeown (48); Fionn McHugh for McMurray (60+1)

Referee: James Lewis (Fermanagh)