Donegal's first Ulster title of 1972 - like a Phoenix from the Flame

How the 'Democrat' reported Donegal's first Ulster win 50 years ago
Donegal made the breakthrough, after 86 years trying, when they defeated Tyrone to win their first Ulster senior title in 1972, by 2-13 to 1-11.

The Donegal Democrat report went:
It was from many points of view, a wonderful Ulster final and one in which the Donegal men were given plenty of thought by a lucky goal half a minute from the interval which put Tyrone ahead by four points, 1-6 to 0-5.

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So far as first half play was concerned Donegal looked the better side. The game had only entered the second half for a short time when scores were exchanged and after 22 minutes the scores stood level at 1-10 each. Then Tyrone went ahead again with a point but again the powerful Donegal men drew level with a well taken point from Joe Winston. The Donegal captain Frankie McFeely, following a goal by his teammate Seamus Bonar, gave his side a four points lead with Brian McEniff following up with another point in this great period of dominance.

HISTORIC DAY
It was indeed an historic day for Donegal as this was the first occasion for the county to win the Ulster senior football crown. When the final whistle sounded on Sunday, hundreds of Donegal people entered the playing field to pay tribute to the players and it was a wonderful occasion as the Ulster trophy was presented to the Donegal captain, Frankie McFeely. Thousands of people waited in the heavy rain to pay tribute and the Donegal dressing rooms were crowded. Tyrone officials paid tribute to Donegal and later in the evening the team, officials and supporters made their way to Bundoran, and then to Donegal Town, where over 1,000 people were present on Sunday night.

STORY OF THE GAME
It took 10 minutes before the first score arrived, Patsy Hetherington pointing for Tyrone but Seamie Granaghan equalised. Michael McMenamin put Donegal ahead but Hetherington levelled.
Granaghan punched Donegal ahead and Joe Winston doubled the lead from a free but Hetherington and Brendan Dolan had Tyrone level after 26 minutes.

Hetheringon and Dolan put Tyrone two up but Declan O'Carroll responded before the final score of the half, a free from Paddy McMahon punched to the net by Brendan Dolan to leave it 1-6 to 0-5 to Tyrone at the break.
Declan O'Carroll and Hetherington traded early points in the second half before a goal from Michael Sweeney had Donegal back within a point. O'Donoghue doubled the Tyrone lead and Hetherington pointed after a free awarded Donegal for a short kick-out.



In the 9th minute Joe Winston pointed; Paddy McMahon replied before two Winston points followed before Brian McEniff levelled on 22 minutes.

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Paddy Parks put Tyrone ahead but again Winston replied. Then came the turning point when a long delivery from Seamus Bonar deceived the Tyrone 'keeper and ended in the net. Frankie McFeely and Joe Winston added late points to close out the win.

Under referee Fintan Tierney, Cavan, the teams were:
DONEGAL: Alan Kane (Ballyshannon); Donal Monaghan (Donegal), Pauric McShea (Ballyshannon), John Boyce (Downings); Brian McEniff (Bundoran), Anthony Gallagher (St. Eunan’s), Anton Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair); Seamus Bonar (Donegal) and Frankie McFeely (MacCumhaill’s); Martin Carney (Ballyshannon), Michael McMenamin (MacCumhaill’s), Declan O’Carroll (Bundoran); Seamie Granaghan (Bundoran), Mickey Sweeney (St. Eunan’s), Joe Winston (St. Eunan’s). Subs., Andy Curran (MacCumhaill’s) for Boyce, John Hannigan (St. Eunan’s) for O'Carroll.

Rest of panel: Danny McGeehan; Enda Bonner, Hugh McClafferty, Thomas Quinn, Donal Britton, Ray Sheerin, Mickey Griffin, Michael Doherty, Peter Barry, Tommy McMenamin, Michael Crossan, Josie Boyle.

TYRONE: Kieran Harte; Ollie Nugent, Peter Mulgrew (capt), Jackie Duffy; Michael John Forbes, Gerry Teggart, Mickey Hughes; Brendan Dolan, Seamus Donaghy; Patsy Hetherington, John McElhatton, Paddy McMahon; Hugh Crawford, Kevin Teague, John Early. Subs: Psddy Parke for Teague; Frank McGuigan for Crawford.