Donegal 0-9 Tyrone 0-11:TYRONE'S PUSH for survival received a major boost at Edendork yesterday, where victory in the big Ulster derby lifted them to mid-table.
The home side's revival continued, and with Mickey Harte's team now beginning to take on a more settled appearance with the return from injury of some seasoned stars, they're facing into the longer evenings with a spring in their step.
Reigning league champions Donegal will look upon this one as a missed opportunity to plant one foot in the league decider, and they're going to need positive results from their remaining two games to keep their title defence alive.
Donegal held the edge in possession for the opening 20 minutes, but their short-passing game often ended with no reward, although Rory Kavanagh, Kevin Rafferty and Ryan Bradley were on target.
Tyrone's more direct approach saw them level by the end of the opening quarter, with Tommy McGuigan steering over a sideline ball, before Ryan McMenamin pressed forward from the back to shoot a point.
The sides were level on five occasions during a closely fought opening period, with Bradley's second free quickly followed by a similar effort from Niall Gormley to bring Tyrone to parity.
A sweeping move involving Philip Jordan, Mulgrew and Colin Holmes led to the game's first goal chance, but Paul Durcan saved Donegal with a double save, firstly denying Gormley, and keeping Enda McGinley's effort out as well.
Tyrone goalkeeper Pascal McConnell also had to produce some heroics to stop a David Walsh effort, after Colm McFadden, Bradley and Brian Roper had combined.
Frank McGlynn and Kevin Cassidy showed a willingness to support the Donegal attacking unit, and McFadden edged the visitors back in front from a long-range free.
In a late flourish, however, Gormley and McGinley both hit the target to give Tyrone a narrow 0-6 to 0-5 advantage at the break.
The second half was equally tight. After Bradley and McFadden, who failed to score from play against Conor Gormley, edged Donegal back in front, Niall Gormley converted two more frees.
With 10 minutes to play, the sides were locked on 0-9 each, thanks to Michael Hegarty's neat score. But with Enda McGinley and Colin Holmes now getting the better of the midfield battle against Neil Gallagher and Rory Kavanagh, the home side pushed for home, and Tommy McGuigan and McGinley steered over the late points that clinched the victory.
TYRONE: P McConnell; PJ Quinn, J McMahon, R McMenamin (0-1); D Harte, C Gormley P Jordan; C Holmes, E McGinley (0-2); R Mellon, R Mulgrew (0-1), S Cavanagh; T McGuigan (0-3 (two frees), S O'Neill, N Gormley (0-4, four frees). Subs: M Swift for Quinn, B McGuigan for O'Neill, P Donnelly for Mulgrew.
DONEGAL: P Durcan; K Lacey, N McGee, P McDaid; F McGlynn, E McGee, K Cassidy; N Gallagher, R Kavanagh (0-1); K Rafferty (0-1), M Hegarty (0-1), B Roper; C McFadden (0-2, two frees), R Bradley (0-3, three frees), D Walsh. Subs: C Bonner for Gallagher, C Toye (0-1) for Bradley.
Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).
