Thompson says Donegal 'just decided to go at' Tyrone

Ciaran Thompson admitted although it was a long trip home from Killarney, the visit of Tyrone isn’t something any Donegal team ever needs to try and lift itself for.

Donegal went down 1-13 to 0-7 in Kerry and on Saturday night, put in a much-improved performance to overcome the All-Ireland champions on a 2-10 to 0-12 scoreline in Ballybofey - with goals from Conor O’Donnell and Thompson’s Naomh Conaill clubmate Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí, in the absence of players like Michael Murphy, Caolan McGonagle and Michael Langan.

“We were very deflated there after that performance and we went up the road with plenty of thinking going on,” Thompson said of Kerry. “When you’re playing Tyrone then, Saturday night lights then you’ve no wile time to take pity on yourself. We knew we had to put in a big performance and you don’t have to force yourself to get up too much for Tyrone.

“I don’t listen to too much of it and we’ve our own circle there. We know the ability we have within the group and even missing three or four big players there, we still knew we could do a job.”

Tyrone were the better side in the first half, although Donegal hung in there to go in at half-time level, with Conor O’Donnell scoring a goal and Jason McGee a point in injury time to make it 1-4 to 0-7.

Here's how Twitter saw Donegal's win over Tyrone - led by Tommy Martin

Declan Bonner's side put in a gutsy performance to come from four down to overcome the All-Ireland champions

“In the second half the boys had to dig deep and we really did all dig deep and we got a really good victory then.

“At half-time we knew we were doing a lot of things right and we just needed to be a wee bit more compact in defence. They had the wind and we just decided to go at them, create chances and we had one or two goal chances before we even got the goal.

“There was a lot of impact off the bench and fellas put their hands up and that’s what you want. Jeaic came in there and did brilliant, it was a big goal for him and I’m delighted for him. Farah (Oisin Gallen) as well. That’s what you want. It’s another two points and that’s what we wanted. We’re in a good enough position and another win should do us.”