Tyrone 2-10 Donegal 6-14
THE opening group game in the new Ulster Under 20 championship proved to be good one for Donegal as they eased to a 16-point win over Tyrone in Edendork on Sunday.
The victory was underscored by a powerful 4-9 in a second half dominated by the visitors.
For long periods Tyrone were in the game – indeed they led by two points after Catherine Moohan drilled home a 25th minute penalty.
However, throughout the second period the visitors turned the screw to put themselves very much in the box seat for qualification. Aishling O’Neill, Caitlin Fletcher and Sara Thomas were inspirational attackers for Donegal who played some 20 minutes with 14 players, two yellows hampering them.
There were some good Tyrone performances but they can have little complaint as those second half scores, 3-3 coming in the third quarter, sealed the win.
A goal at either end of the first half had Donegal leading the contest by two points at the break.
Early pressure produced the first major within two minutes after a Maria Diver point had nudged the visitors ahead. A poor kick out was collected by Meave Brady who sent O’Neill in to slide the ball past Rubi Mc Caffrey.
Moohan tagged on Tyrone’s first score on six minutes but as Cavlan and Thomas exchanged points Donegal kept their noses in front. Tara Rose Muldoon picked up a Donegal yellow and Tyrone responded, with captain Mc Mullan and Ella Mc Caffrey pointing as Cora Mc Elduff and Moohan pressed for goals.
Tyrone were back in the contest when Moohan slotted home a penalty after Cavlan was upended by Sine Ryan, who picked up a yellow card in the process.
Lucy Ward and Cavlan then exchanged points as Tyrone went two up. But their lead was brief as Ward fired in a point with the goal at her mercy and then Thomas powered through the middle for a second goal.
A two-point half-time advantage was quickly five within two minutes as Tyrone’s hesitance in attack was punished with a turnover, Diver finishing a lung busting run with a goal. Moohan added two Tyrone points within five minutes to leave it a three point game with points from Mc Caffrey and the impressive O’Neill keeping a goal between them.
Fletcher fired a goal chance wide of the Tyrone net however on her second attempt she beat Mc Caffrey adding a quick point when the kick out was won by herself.
A speculative effort from Red Hand midfielder Tracey found the net for the home side as they came within striking distance but by now, it was all Donegal.
Brady crashed home a fifth goal after then Maria Ni Ghallchoir (2) and Alannah Boyle raised white flags.
A McCaffrey point, Tyrone’s last of only four in the second half was followed by a parade of Donegal scores.
Chloe Costello scored 1-2 while O’Neill and Ward pointed to ensure a comprehensive 16-point win.
Teams
Tyrone: Rubi McCaffrey; Aoife Marlow, Cora Quinn, Cara Collins; Meabh Campbell, Bree Mc Bride, Tori McMullan (0-1); Caislin Tracey (1-0), Laura Duff; Rebecca Rafferty, Ella McCaffrey (0-4), Hannah Cavlan (0-2), Cora McElduff, Catherine Moohan (1-3), Tess McDonnell. Subs: Grace Gallagher for Marlow, Brianna Vincent for Rafferty, Tia McCormack for McDonnell, Lauren Mc Mahon for McElduff.
Donegal: Ellie McGarvey (Dungloe); Nicole Devlin (Buncrana), Rionach Doherty (Ardara), Sine Ryan (St Eunan’s); Maria Ni Ghallchoir (Gaoth Dobhair, 0-2), Tara Rose McMahon (Buncrana), Rebecca McLaughlin (Bundoran); Lucy Ward (St Naul’s, 0-3), Kate McMullan (Four Masters); Maria Diver (Kilcar, 1-2), Meave Brady (Termon), Emily Boyce (Sean MacCumhaills); Caitlin Fletcher (St Eunan’s, 1-1), Aisling O’Neill (Malin 1-2), Sara Thomas (Four Masters, 1-1). Subs: Chloe Costello (Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin, 1-2) for Diver, Alannah Boyle (Naomh Columba, 0-1) for McMullan.
Referee: Ciara Gilroy (Down)