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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10 2021
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IN ASSOCIATION
WITH
ALL-IRELAND SFC FINAL
DESTINATION
All-Ireland final
Battles with Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan were won as Tyrone pocketed a first Ulster title since
2017, before Covid-19 and Kerry failed to knock them off-course on the way to the biggest day on
the Gaelic football calendar. Pádraig Ó Meiscill reflects on the summer so far...
Cavan fall to McCurry magic
Saturday, July 10
Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final (Healy Park)
Tyrone 1-18 Cavan 0-13
50
MONDAY JULY
12 2021
www.irishnews.com
Quarter-final Tyrone
SPORT
1-18 Cavan 0-13
alight, Feargal Logan and Brian Dooher
were happy with their day’s work.
With Conor McKenna missing through
injury, Darren McCurry hit double figures
in the Tyrone attack and Cathal McShane
made a triumphant return after 17 months
of pure misery. Brian Kennedy and Conn
Kilpatrick shaped up well in midfield, they
had a bouncing fit Padraig Hampsey, while
Conor Meyler, Richie Donnelly and Peter
Harte were moving well.
But the day belonged to Edendork’s
McCurry, who bagged a brilliant 0-10 in
Tyrone’s comfortable eight-point victory.
I
Players like McCurry soothe the
soul as one of the few remaining
inter-county forwards that
can produce moments of pure
magic that you won’t find in the
modern-day coaching manual.
McCurry doesn’t play the percentages.
He backs himself. Playing the
percentages and being conditioned to
recycle absolutely every ball is the job of
the cloned, colourless forward that has
ransacked the game of its spontaneity
and individualism. McCurry is built
differently.
Donegal hoodoo finally ended
Sunday, July 18
Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final (Brewster Park)
Tyrone 0-23 Donegal 1-14
THERE was always likely to be hard work
made of winning this match, with the Red
Hands made to sweat to the very end.
Tyrone were possibly – just possibly – able
to relax for a couple of minutes in added
time, but to do so they’d had to register
the most scores they’d ever managed
against Donegal in Championship combat,
edging out the 22 (1-21) recorded in the
semi-final four years ago.
Their tally of 23 took the Red Hands back
into their first Ulster final since then,
and a first meeting in the decider with
Monaghan since 2010, denying Donegal a
10th final appearance in 11 seasons.
Despite much going against them,
including losing veteran full-back Neil
McGee to injury very early on to a dubious
challenge, then captain Michael Murphy
to a yellow/black card combination before
half-time, shortly after he’d missed a
penalty, Donegal fought hard to maintain
their recent hoodoo over their neighbours.
In the end, the Tir Chonaill men’s efforts
weren’t enough, as their attack never
really clicked into gear, albeit up against
sportsdesk@irishnews.com
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSH
IP
sportsdesk@irishnews.com
ULSTER SENIOR
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSH
SPORT
IP
AT O’NEILLS HEALY
PARK
T’LL take more
than a handsome
Ulster Championship
MATCH STATS
victory
over Cavan
to
banish the memory completely
Tyrone N Morgan; M
McKernan, R McNamee,
goals in Killarney of those six
P Hampsey; R Brennan,
last month
M O’Neill, P Harte
– but the Red
(0-2); M Donnelly,
Hands put their
C Kilpatrick; K McGeary,
foot forward in
best
R Donnelly, C Meyler;
Omagh on Saturday
afternoon and are
frees, 0-1 mark), P D McCurry (0-10, 0-4
Donaghy (0-1), N Sludden
up and running.
(0-2) Subs J Kennedy
The 2021 provincial
(1-0) for R Donnelly
series followed
(35+2), T McCann
a familiar path
for
as
C McShane (0-3, 0-1 McGeary (h/t),
The gutsy losers previous weeks.
F Burns for Sludden free) for Donaghy (48),
in the opening gave it everything
(61),
Brennan (69), B McDonnellM Bradley for
35
minutes
before
blowing a gasket
for McKernan (72).
Blood subs M Bradley
in the second
half, and the stress-free
Yellow cards K McGearyfor McCurry (4-5)
winners –
who lost Ronan
Red card R McNamee (9), N Sludden (17)
(56)
minute red card McNamee to a 56th
– breezed over
Cavan R Galligan (0-1
finish line.
the
P Faulkner, C Reilly; free); K Clarke,
Without setting
B
J McLoughlin; T GalliganO’Connell, K Brady,
Feargal Logan and the world alight,
(0-1), C Moynagh;
G Smith (0-1), G McKiernan
be happy with theirBrian Dooher will
(0-6, 0-4 frees),
O Kiernan; O Pierson
day’s work.
With Conor
Subs L Fortune for (0-1), O Brady, M Reilly.
C
through injury, McKenna missing
(0-1) for Moynagh Reilly (30), C Madden
(h-t),
hit double figuresDarren McCurry
O Brady (h-t), C Brady C Smith (0-2) for
attack and Cathal in the Tyrone
C Conroy for Pierson for M Reilly (47),
(56), N Murray for
K
Brady (63).
triumphant return McShane made a
after 17 months
Blood sub C Conroy
of pure misery.
for
Yellow card O Kiernan Galligan (21-23)
Conn KilpatrickBrian Kennedy and
(31)
in midfield, they shaped up well
had a bouncing
Referee D Gough (Meath)
fit Padraig Hampsey,
while Conor
Meyler, Richie
Donnelly and
Peter of the
Harte were moving
cloned, colourless
But the day well.
forward
belonged to that has ransacked the game
Edendork’s finest
of
– Darren ‘Dazzler’ its spontaneity and individualism.
McCurry, who bagged
a brilliant 0-10 These types leave no trace
in Tyrone’s comfortable
themselves.
of
eight-point
victory.
McCurry is built
differently.
Players like McCurry
On
soothe the so Saturday afternoon, the 2,000
soul.
or
spectators at Healy
Park reached
He is one of
the few remaining for their sepia-tinged
inter-county forwards
glasses and
were propelled
back to the glorious
left in the Noughties,
game that can
of pure magic produce moments forwards when swaggering cornerthat
won games by
in Gaelic football’syou won’t find with humongous
themselves
modern-day
coaching manual.
for the cameras tallies and smiled
afterwards.
McCurry
Over the last
doesn’t
one duel.
play
decade or
percentages. He
the the inside
backs himself.
In Cavan’s naivety,
forward’s terrain more
from the same man.
Playing the percentages
become
they
has
His 17th minute
and being Serengeti:football’s equivalent of the happen: ‘Dazzler’ versus let it
conditioned to
difficult angle.
score
rookie of the
corner-back Cian
day and first from – his third
every ball that recycle absolutely 30 minutessparse and arid – but for
In the 23rd
Reilly.
comes in is the
The first half
play – was Donnelly’s
minute, Richie
on Saturday afternoon
sublime. After winning
job we were
started with
Peter
converted mark
telepathic
treated to a joyous
pass
from the Edendorka pass at an awkward height Harte’s and McCurry’s
one-on- ace and
movement
out on subsequent
the left flank,
ended with five
more scores
TYRONE
score was the and
aside Reilly and McCurry brushed feature
best
MATTIE DONNELLY
of Tyrone’s football.
fired over from
Made little
a and Kilpatrick
Harte
NIALL MORGAN Forced
impact at full-forward
also fed him for
other
short kickouts by Cavan’sinto mostly
deeper and did well, but dropped
providing the
layer atings
press. Alert to any danger, high
final assist for the goal.
moments and found
7
although
BY KENNY ARCHER
fortunate one rush
runners through the Tyrone’s big
OISIN PIERSON Found
out went
AND BRENDAN
centre hard to
CROSSAN
unpunished. 6.5
CONN KILPATRICK
handle. 5.5
with a lovely left-footed his range
An
score in the
high-catching debut eye-catching
opening exchanges
from the
but didn’t see a
MICHAEL McKERNAN
Edendork man, who
NIALL SLUDDEN Slow
JASON
lot of ball. 5
McLOUGHLIN
looked lively
Over on the
left wing, did his defensive
throughout. Lost some
and was booked, but to get going,
BEN MCDONNELL
named in the forward A defender
Not
duties,
then pushed forward
but also used it well possession
couple of nice points. then kicked a
enough to be rated. on long
it was to stop Tyrone’s line whose job OISIN BRADY Foraged
with fine
7
the game went on. with pace as
kickpassing. 8
defence. A horrible runs out of
possession but was for
7
task. 5
crowded out a
few times, shanked
SUBSTITUTES
CAVAN
one wide before
RONAN McNAMEE
KIERAN McGEARY
THOMAS GALLIGAN
his withdrawal. 5
Strolled through
Cautioned
It’s a
the game until a silly
early on and never
BRIAN KENNEDY Initially
RAYMOND GALLIGAN
compliment when Padraig
really got going.
Hampsey
led to his red card. loss of temper
Worked hard as ever
sub in first-half injury-timea blood
beautifully clean kickerJust a
saddles up to you,
MARTIN REILLY Unlike
6
but also
but the
a bad wide and was but kicked
Derrylaughan clubman
the Cavan ’keeper also of the ball,
desperately tough.
League game, he was the Wicklow
subbed at
Had a couple of
grabbed a
PADRAIG HAMPSEY
half-time. 5.5
to the end to impressivestayed on
nice point. 7
good moments. 6
higher up the pitch stationed
but didn’t get
effect,
captain was forceful The new
including netting the
any supply. 5
game’s only
containment of Allstarin his
RICHIE DONNELLY
goal. 8
KILLIAN CLARKE Cavan’s
CONOR MOYNAGH
A sweet early
Tidy in
trusted
Galligan, leading the Thomas
score, a neat low kick-pass
troubleshooter. Kept
possession until he
SUBSTITUTES
pace with
was
for a
commandingly. 7.5 defensive effort McCurry score, and
TIERNAN McCANN
Mattie Donnelly before
over for a 28th minute turned
a block all
Replaced
being
Tyrone score.
showcased his all-round
McGeary and was
moved onto Darren
Lack of minutes in
LUKE FORTUNE Tried
much more
McCurry late
his legs didn’t
ability
RORY BRENNAN Blotted
before injury forced
attacking, including
on. McCurry had already
help. 5
front foot upon his to play on the
him off just
one thwarted
arrival. 5
out the
done the
usually dangerous
before half-time. 7
dribble. 7
damage by then. 7
Martin
then kept Conor Madden Reilly and
GERARD SMITH The
CONOR MADDEN He
quiet. 7
CONOR MEYLER Plenty
CATHAL McSHANE
PADRAIG FAULKNER
given oceans of spaceone player
the super sub tag by must despise
The
Just
of
home
now.
by
industry
when
Tyrone.
5
MICHAEL O’NEILL
and speedy runs up
support roared him
the legs were starting
Made use of it too
Struggled in his
and down but
on
by
to go he was
man-marking job on
never made a major
immediately scored and he
visited by Cathal McShane.
first half score. 6.5 hitting a lovely CONOR SMITH The
impact on the
and
Killygarry man
6
made more impact, McKiernan but
match. 6
free. Added a free and soon won a
had more shots than
aggressively
securing possession.
in a welcome return another point CIAN REILLY Taken
GEAROID McKIERNAN
team-mates. Scored any of his
6
from long-term
to school by the
Gave
DARREN McCURRY
injury. 7.5
brilliant Darren McCurry.
Michael O’Neill the
missed a couple. 6 a couple,
See Star Man
run around in
Didn’t have
PETER HARTE A difficult
a lot of protection in
the first half but a change
front of him,
beginning
of marker
against Pierson but
PAUL DONAGHY The
FRANK BURNS Brought
though. 4
curtailed him in the
CONOR BRADY Forced
increasingly
second half.
influential going forward
clubman scored a Dungannon
shore up defence after on to
Top-scored with 0-6.
wrong way too often. to chase the
cracking
7.5
McNamee’s
5
clever passing by both with some
but other decision-making point
sending-off. 6
BRIAN O’CONNELL
hand and
Paul
was
boot. 7.5
suspect and he was
escaped his attentions Donaghy
OISIN KIERNAN The
CHRIS CONROY Didn’t
replaced by
Castlerahan
early on but
see much
McShane. 6
MARK BRADLEY Not
steadied after that.
man couldn’t be faulted
ball. 5
6
on
long
for
effort.
enough to be rated.
Hit a few wides and
launched a
KILLIAN BRADY A
couple of decent balls
NIALL MURRAY The
couple of untidy
game
in as Cavan
chased goals. 6
by the time of his arrival was up
in the 63rd
minute. 4
P
TYRONE’S first Championship game of the
post-Mickey Harte era was a comfortable
victory over the 2020 Ulster SFC
champions Cavan. It was a modicum of
comfort that was sorely needed following
the League drubbing by Kerry in Killarney
the month previous.
The game followed a familiar pattern.
The gutsy losers gave it everything in
the opening 35 minutes before blowing a
gasket in the second half, and the stressfree winners – who lost Ronan McNamee
to a 56th-minute red card – breezed over
the finish line. Without setting the world
ULSTER SENIOR
UPP A
U
AN
ND
DR
RU
UN
NN
NIN
ING
G
BRENDANCROS
SAN
54
MONDAY JULY
DARREN McCURRY
51
line before the
Mattie Donnelly game – even with
midfield into thebeing pushed from
attack – McCurry,
on paper, was
the heaviest scorer
that they needed
to
By the time theymind.
realised, with
Reilly substituted
after 30 minutes,
it was too late.
At the other end,
as good as they Cavan were giving
got. They pressed BACK IN ACTION
high on Niall Morgan’s
Cathal
kickouts and on Saturday after nearly McShane made a return to Tyrone
got some joy.
a year-and-a-half
colours against
out injured
Cavan
Tyrone also didn’t
up right. Michael get a key matchPicture: Philip Walsh
O’Neill of Ardboe,
who has done
40th minute, having
really well this
lent the ball to
never looked like
year, McCurry
glory just eight
and Mattie
the right fit for
crafty Gearoid McKiernan.
months ago and
the
Although Tyrone Donnelly.
the
would go down unfathomable lows of dropping
Cavan did well
to 14 men
Division Four only
into
to their gifted to usher the ball McNamee on 56 minutes after Ronan
Teams like Cavana few weeks ago.
twice pushed
centre-forward
especially in the
sorely needed
Conor back
25th minute when, Brady with an open hand
Oisin Kiernan,
to the face, and door to rehabilitate themselvesa
Logan and
Conor Moynagh
get ready for 2022.
Padraig Faulkner
and panic with Dooher didn’t need to
The Breffni men
a seven-point advantage
through the hands moved the ball heading
have much to
ponder for the
into the last quarter.
at lightning pace
before giving it
rest of the year.
Cavan’s second-half
to
Is there
their team to grabthe best shooter in Conor
substitute totemic another campaign in
Smith shot
the
his fourth of the
Gearoid McKiernan?
day.
grabbed a couple on sight and
With a hard-earned
of
consolation
Indeed, it was
scores, while Tyrone
Anglo-Celt
had managed medal in his back pocket, what
up to the 29th nip and tuck right to tie
there left for the
up McKiernan
is
Sludden peeled minute when Niall caused
recently married
so much damage after he’d McKiernan to
two between theoff the flank to put period.
achieve at interin the first county
sides
level?
for the first
time.
But once again
And was that
the last we saw
It was around
Championship in this year’s Ulster veteran
of
there was a distinct
forward Marty
Graham’s men that period Mickey lack of
Reilly, a
began to wilt a
paragon of consistency
drama in the
little.
Between the 25th
second half.
for over a
decade in blue?
and 40th minutes, Cavan didn’t appear to
Tyrone rattled
have the
lung power
off 1-6 without
In any case, one
reply standards to maintain their high
that put the
thing manager
home side into
Mickey Graham
of
unassailable lead,
doesn’t mind
an looked like the first half and never mountains.
are
1-12 to 0-7.
threatening an
He’s climbed
The towering Brian
Picture: Philip Walsh
upset.
The only time
a few
already in his managerial
Kennedy, who
the
entered for the
career and
bloodied Richie supporters were stirred wasTyrone he mightn’t want to
confidence but
Donnelly in first-half
leave his native
when county
stoppage-time, force of nature Cathal McShane
been umpteen equally there have made
at the foot of another
a
entered for
one.
On a warm Saturday
the subdued
he’s proven his other days where arrival. real difference upon his
worth
Donaghy in the
Paul
afternoon
Saturday was another to his county.
48th minute, and Tyrone,
somewhat
The
with his first touch
Derrylaughan
inevitably,
one of those
advanced to the
nerveless days.
midfielder
the Owen
offered penetration
semi-finals.
There wasn’t
down the centre man sent over a lovely point Roe’s
Nevertheless, when
of
a
the
great
before
pitch
adding
deal
and managed
Cavan would
a further two before
turbulence for
of
have looked at
new
the final Feargal
Tyrone’s forward off a move that he started to finish whistle.
Logan and Brian managers
to raise
a green flag from
As for Cavan,
Dooher to
contend with.
close range in
the the tremendousthey’ve experienced
Both men can breathe
highs of provincial
out. They’re
up and running…
Tyrone
cruise
home
to end
Cavan’s
reign
scores before the
break.
McCurry was uncoachable
gold on
Saturday.
He’s had some
difficult moments
in high-profile Championship
games
for Tyrone over
that might have the last few years
shrunk a player’s
Tactical take...
TYRONE
TYRONE’S short
kickout
ran into some trouble. sometimes
players strung across They had four
the field for kickouts the middle of
none of them moved but at times
Niall Morgan’s ability a muscle. Given
to go long,
Tyrone may need
to utilise it more
given their imposing
size around the
middle.
They could have
moved Michael
O’Neill off Gearoid
the break and they McKiernan before
might be slightly
concerned that
they didn’t get a
better spread of
scores, but the
ball
into Darren McCurry
was first class.
Brian Kennedy offered
penetration
down the centre
and gave the team
the impetus they
needed just before
the break.
ON TARGET Brian
Kennedy beats Cavan
Turning point...
THE match was
already turning
Tyrone’s way thanks
without reply either to six points
taking them from side of half-time,
a five-point lead, a trailing position to
but the game’s
only
goal then surely
confirmed they would
goalkeeper Raymond
Galligan for Tyrone’s
goal
Picture: Philip Walsh
be the winners.
The
from a move started major score,
and finished
substitute Brian
Kennedy, with Starby
Man Darren McCurry
and Mattie
Donnelly involved,
especially galling must have been
for Cavan after their
spurned opportunities
to find the net
in the first period.
CAVAN
IT wasn’t a change
needed to handle of marker Cavan
it was a change Darren McCurry,
of strategy. Cian
Reilly was left exposed
as Tyrone
kicked handy ball
didn’t need to be into McCurry, who
asked twice. They
needed two Thomas
Galligans – one
at midfield and
one
to stand a chance. at full-forward –
positions but he He played in both
kind of fell between
two stools in the
press on Tyrone’s end. Their high
some dividends kickout reaped
but they couldn’t
sustain it across
the two halves.
Top score...
WHILE the goal
was an ugly finish,
the Red Hands
crafted a beauty
midway through
the
fine feet involved first half – with
was scored by thetoo. Fittingly, it
Darren McCurry. day’s Star Man,
Peter Harte (left)
delivered a superb
kickpass to him
on the left flank
and the Edendork
man rose high to
under pressure. bat the ball down
Strength secured
possession, then
his marker to get he wriggled free of
over a delightful the space to swing
point.
Ref watch...
Key battle...
DAVID GOUGH (MEATH)
DARREN McCURRY
EVEN with much
(TYRONE)
smaller
v CIAN REILLY (CAVAN)
compared to pre-Covid crowd than
McCURRY hit six
lack of much outrage times, the
points in the first
half – including
decisions indicated at the official’s
one mark and one
free. The Cavan
handled this match. how well he
management team
Typically for a
should have reacted
Meathman,
clear McCurry was quicker as it was physicality he let a fair amount of
go, occasionally
from the outset. the danger man
to the
discontent of the
By the time the
Didn’t appear to home support.
change
see McNamee’s
McCurry had assumed came,
clash with Conor
domination
Brady which led
and probably the
to the red card,
man-of-the-matc
but
award before half-time.
h
about the daftness that says more
rookie, briefly switched Cian Reilly, a
man’s actions. A of the Aghyaran
linesman made
before being replaced, off McCurry
that call, although
but there was
Tyrone will wonder
no sweeper system
that
no-one
to speak about,
spotted Ben McDonnell
which made him
apparently being
look more hapless.
struck just after
final whistle.
the
ANALYSIS BY KENNY
ARCHER AND BRENDAN
CROSSAN
19 2021
www.irishnews.com
DONEGALRATINGS
Semi-final Donegal
6
5.5
6
RYAN McHUGH Got
forward in the move
McGonigle’s goal. Apart
that led to
full picking up Tyrone from that he had his hands
runners.
ODHRAN McFADDEN-FERRY
A battler. He
nipped in to win a
break in midfield but
then lost the ball for
over-carrying. That
of day for him.
sort
EOGHAN BAN GALLAGHER
Darren McCurry
him a tough time of
it and Tyrone blocked gave
channels for his
the
Vital part in Donegal forward breaks until the second half.
goal and won two dubious
pacey runs.
frees with
HUGH McFADDEN
Assist for Donegal’s
point. Operated as
first
sweeper and his driving
runs forward were a
feature of the first half.
Showed a cool head
under pressure.
SPORT
ULSTER SENIOR
1-14 Tyrone 0-23
Red Hands dig
deep to outlast
Donegal and
seal final spot
SHAUN PATTON Good
and McGeary. Got awaysaves from McCurry
kick-out after the break. with one off-target
Tried
Murphy’s absence
by being the extra man to make up for
in defence.
BRENDAN McCOLE
Covered Frank Burns’s
and restricted him
to a point. Did his job runs
Donegal defence struggled
while the
in other areas.
NEIL McGEE In bravely
Injured in the process to win a break in fourth minute.
and subbed. Not on
to be rated.
long enough
sportsdesk@irishnews.com
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSH
IP
sportsdesk@irishnews.com
ULSTER SENIOR
FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSH
RT
TYRONE TURN
UP THE HEAT
IP
SPO
play.
AT BREWSTER PARK
55
RONAN McNAMEE
Had
but mostly up against moments on Jamie Brennan
fairly well, allowing McBrearty and contained him
only one of his two
points from
PADRAIG HAMPSEY
captain Murphy, who Got the better of rival
didn’t feature much
open play.
in
of Jamie Brennan after Also mostly contained the threat
moving onto him.
RORY BRENNAN Started
on Thompson but
switched onto Jamie
Brennan to good effect.then
However, was black-carded
for the foul
the penalty and was
subbed off at half-time. that led to
MICHAEL O’NEILL
Operated in an attacking
defensive role, shuttling
up and down the left
to contain Donegal
flank
little room to operate. breaks out. Allowed Mac Niallais
PETER HARTE (right)
good going forward, Always
even
scoring a right-footed
point, but also put
in
defensive work with some great
blocks and
tackles.
6
5.5
BRIAN KENNEDY Set
for Sludden but didn’t up a score
against Langan and impose himself on the game
was subbed midway
second half.
through
6
5
5
5.5
8.5
19 2021
NIALL MORGAN Directed
most of his
kick-outs fairly well,
under some pressure,
although
with goal but perhaps a lot of them short. Little chance
fortunate he didn’t
when he skipped around
catch McGonigle
him.
6.5
7
7.5
6
6
7
ER
good match-ups and marking
5.5
from the Red Hands.
6.5
Still, the six-point winning
6
margin probably flattered
Tyrone, who despite having an
extra man for half the game
only pulled clear after themselves going
down to 14 for the last 10 minutes.
They lost Kieran McGeary to a 67thminute black card, but the Pomeroy man
had done enough to earn the man-of-thematch’ accolade on a day when both sides
put in serious effort in high heat.
MONDAY JULY
www.irishnews.com
TYRONE RATINGS
6.5
MICHAEL McKERNAN
On and off marking
duties, one fumble
led to a McBrearty
score.
Used his
assisting a McCann pace to augment attack, including
point.
KENNY ARCH
T
HERE was always
to be hard work likely
made
MATCH STATS
of winning this
match,
with the victors
Donegal S Patton;
made to
B McCole, N McGee,
sweat to the very
P Mogan (0-1); R McHugh,
end.
Tyrone were possibly
O McFadden
Ferry, E Gallagher;
– possibly
H
– able to relax for
C McGonigle (1-0); McFadden,
C
minutes in added a couple of
N O’Donnell (0-2), Thompson (0-1),
M
do so they’d had time, but to
free); P McBrearty Langan (0-2, 0-1
(0-4,
the most scores to register
M Murphy (capt.) (0-2 0-2 frees),
they’d ever
frees), J Brennan
(0-2) Subs S McMenamin
managed against
for N McGee
Donegal in
(5, inj.); P Brennan
Championship combat,
for
(46); O Mac Niallais McFadden Ferry
edging
out the 22 (1-21)
for McFadden (47);
recorded in the
E McHugh for J Brennan
semi-final four years
NIALL O’DONNELL
for Mogan (72) Yellow (64); A McClean
ago.
Picked up Peter Harte
Yesterday’s tally
cards Thompson
(20); Murphy (23);
defensive job well –
and did his
of 23 took the
P
popped
Red Hands back
Black card Murphy Brennan (74)
make one vital interception. up on 21-yard line to
into their first
(36,
Ulster final since
Red card Murphy (36, first half)
Points in both halves.
first half, yellow
first meeting in then, and a
and black)
MICHAEL LANGAN
the
An
Monaghan since decider with
seems to have more elegant player who often
2010, denying
Tyrone N Morgan; M
Donegal a 10th
McKernan,
in his hands. Superb time than others with the ball
final appearance
R McNamee, P Hampsey
in 11 seasons.
point and created goal
for himself before he
chance
R Brennan, M O’Neill, (capt.);
Despite much going
P Harte (0-1);
Crowded out by the was taken down by Frank Burns.
B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick;
against
Tyrone midfield.
them, including
(0-3), N Sludden (0-3), K McGeary
losing
full-back Neil McGee veteran
D McCurry (0-7, 0-3 C Meyler (0-1);
PATRICK McBREARTY
to injury
very early on to
Ronan McNamee shadowed
(0-2), F Burns (0-1) frees), M Donnelly
his every move. McBrearty
a
challenge, then dubious
Subs T McCann (0-3)
landed two points in
half and two frees
captain Michael
first
C McKenna (0-1) for for Brennan (h-t);
Murphy to a yellow/black
Donegal needed more in the second. With no Murphy,
Kilpatrick (47);
card
B McDonnell for Kennedy
from him.
combination before
(54);
C McShane (0-1 free)
shortly after he’d half-time,
MICHAEL MURPHY
N Kelly for McKernan for O’Neill (65);
Scored two frees but
penalty, Donegal missed a
under pressure and
Yellow cards Kennedy(68)
fought hard to
then missed a penaltyfumbled
maintain their recent
Black cards Brennan (51); Harte (60)
outside of the post.
– hitting
(29-39); McGeary
Frustrated by that,
over their neighbours.hoodoo
(67-end)
wild hack at a loose
he aimed a
COOL UNDER PRESSURE
ball and caught McGeary.
In the end, the Tir
Sent off.
Chonaill men’s
Tyrone’s
Michael McKernan
efforts weren’t enough,
Referee J McQuillan
PEADAR MOGAN A
(Cavan)
away despite the gets a pass
as their
talent but he promised
attack
never
really clicked into
than he delivered. Scored
more
Donegal duo Ryanattentions of
gear, albeit up against
a fine first half point
lost Tiarnan McCann
Michael Langan McHugh and
but
good
in the second half.
match-ups and
during
because of the
marking from the
Ullster SFC semi-final yesterday’s
numerical
Red Hands.
advantage given
in
to them by
Picture: Margaret Enniskillen
JAMIE BRENNAN Scored
Still, the six-point
Murphy’s dismissal,
McLaughlin
the game. Found space the first point of
a decision
margin probably winning
which annoyed
flattered
and dismayed
afterwards. Contributed hard to come by
Tyrone, who despite
Donegal.
to one McBrearty
point and scored a
having an
second after the break.
extra man for half
The Glenswilly
So, as anticipated,
the
giant had
game only boosted
it remained
pulled clear after
as close as the
Donegal hopes
weather,
by
going down to 14 themselves
being able to start,
after all the potentially even
minutes of this for the last 10
the talented Peadaralong with
game-changing
tense encounter.
Mogan,
SUBSTITUTES
decisions
They lost Kieran
with
Eoin McHugh
by referee Joe McQuillan. made
67th minute blackMcGeary to a
O’Donnell droppingand Ethan
In truth, Murphy
STEPHEN McMENAMIN
Pomeroy man had card, but the
Brendan McCole, out, while
On for McGee.
a major impact had not made
Caught under a high
on
to earn the ‘man done enough
on for the injured after coming
ball that Mattie
well marshalled the match,
Donnelly
Stephen
by
accolade on a dayof the match’
McMenamin against
Donnelly finished with broke for McCurry’s goal chance.
counterpart Padraighis Tyrone
STAR MAN
two points.
sides put in seriouswhen both
Hampsey,
started in his stead. Derry,
although the loss
effort in
of a player in
high heat.
However, the St
this rivalry is always
Naul’s man
PAUL BRENNAN Had
KIERAN McGEARY
Tyrone’s bench
a severe
struggled when
Set
an
immediate
blow.
provided
impact
he
when he came in for
the tone for his day
them
with a major boost,
onto McCurry in had to go
Yet even without
notably
the second
Grabbed a kick-out McFadden-Ferry.
with the opening point
Tiernan McCann
half, while McMenamin
and played in McBrearty
for a score. Lots of
talismanic leader,their