Football

How Tyrone rated v Donegal - Morgan and Mattie Donnelly shine in defeat

Red Hands fall to extra-time defeat as Tir Chonaill look ahead to Ulster final

Darragh Canavan was limited to a couple of moments of class as Tyrone and Donegal battled it out at Celtic Park. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Darragh Canavan was limited to a couple of moments of class as Tyrone and Donegal battled it out at Celtic Park. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

Niall Morgan: Was never going to be exposed in the way Odhran Lynch had been eight days earlier, though almost caught out as Tyrone chased the game in extra-time. Some pinpoint passes, twice to Daly, and did well to block Aaron Doherty’s goal chance in the dying moments of normal time. 8.5

Conal Devlin: Did okay after a tough afternoon against Cavan. Got across to make a super block on Gallen that maintained Tyrone’s three-point going in at half-time, but replaced early in second half. 6.5

Padraig Hampsey: Gallen kicked one shocking wide in extra-time but, other than that, the Coalisland man allowed him little room to manoeuvre. Read McHugh’s pass deep in extra-rime then won the race with Aaron Doherty as Morgan found himself marooned upfield 7.5

Michael McKernan: Lost McBrearty a couple of times near end of first half, but wasn’t punished by the Kilcar man. Donegal stood off and allowed McKernan to kick a brilliant second half score, before roaming upfield again to fist over in extra-time. 7.5



Michael O’Neill: The outlet for so much of Morgan’s shorter kick-outs. Brought in to stabilise Tyrone after a shaky showing against Cavan, and limited Thompson’s involvement. 6

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Niall Devlin: Tasked with picking up last week’s hero O Baoill – lost him a handful of times and was made to pay. 6.5

Mattie Donnelly: Operating as a sweeper, but so often the man to get Tyrone moving. A real leader, rumbled forward several times in the first half, creating space for McShane to point before a well-worked kick-out saw the Trillick man feed Darragh Canavan for a mark. 8

Seanie O’Donnell: Held onto the ball for too long when a scoring chance arose two minutes in - wanted the goal but ended up with nothing. Still took the fight to Ryan McHugh, keeping the Tir Chonaill dynamo on the back foot and landing two points. 7.5

Brian Kennedy: Tired in extra-time, allowing McGee’s influence to grow as Donegal turned the screw. 6.5

Conn Kilpatrick: Returned for the first time since defeat in Killarney eight weeks ago, but those familiar bursts were few and far between. 6

Ciaran Daly: Showed his confidence by turning down the mark from Morgan’s pass then slotting between the posts. Bagged another as Tyrone reeled in Donegal after a sharp start to the second half, and worked himself into the ground. 7.5

Kieran McGeary: Roamed between the lines, at times dropping in to support the rearguard action when Donegal were in possession. Struggled a bit as the pace of the game picked up, and was replaced after committing two fouls in a matter of minutes. 6

Cathal McShane: Dropped in and out of full-forward, turning playmaker to provide pass for early chance that saw Canavan felled by Donegal ‘keeper Mulreany far from his goal, but ran out of steam. Found Moore hard to shake. 6

Darragh Canavan: Fleeting cameos rather than running the show as he was well shackled by McCole, but still so dangerous any time he finds a yard of space. Made a brave block on Niall O’Donnell in extra-time. 7

Darren McCurry: Quiet afternoon for the Edendork man who got little change from Curran. 6

Substitutes

Aidan Clarke: Lost Niall O’Donnell a few minutes after coming on, but made a crucial interception with Mogan about to pounce for goal a minute from the end of normal time. 6.5

Ben Cullen: Made little impact on the game. 6

Ruairi Canavan: Kicked wide late in extra-time as Tyrone chased equaliser. 6

Aodhan Donaghy: Not on long enough to be rated.