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Tyrone turn the tables
 Like
true giants of the game Tyrone are at their most dangerous when they’ve
been written off.
The world and his dog were predicting a victory for Donegal in Clones
but Mickey Harte isn’t one of the most successful managers of the
modern game for nothing.
Tyrone, inspired by their captain Brian Dooher, simply upped the gears
when it was needed and at times at the Monaghan venue it was like men
against boys as the old heads of Tyrone took control.
Donegal finished the game with 13 men when Colm McFadden and Kevin McMenamin
were sent to the line late on but by then the victory was assured for
the Red Hands.
In a one-sided game Donegal only gained the upper hand in the opening
quarter when they scored a goal, had one disallowed and also missed a
penalty.
Trailing by 0-2 to 0-1 Colm McFadden fired to the net but Meath referee
David Goldrick had blown for a penalty before the ball crossed the Tyrone
dead-ball line.
An incensed Donegal argued with the official but he wasn’t for turning.
McFadden took the penalty himself but John Devine in the Tyrone goal got
down to smother the shot.
The men from the North West did finally get the goal their play deserved
in the 10th minute when Kevin Cassidy stormed forward from his midfield
position to side foot his shot past Devine.
Brain McIvor’s side couldn’t maintain their early brisk pace
though and when Tyrone’s Davy Harte pointed in the 20th minute to
give his side the lead there was no looking back for the Red Hands.
Colm McCullagh converted a penalty for Tyrone soon after when Donegal
keeper Paul Durcan was penalised for throwing the ball away in frustration.
Leading by 1-6 to 1-3 at the start of the second-half Mickey Harte’s
men used all their experience to kill off the game as a contest.
Despite missing a host of star players Tyrone simply demolished Donegal
after the break. Raymond Mulgrew’s goal in the 52nd minute ensured
that Tyrone would contest the Ulster final against either Derry or Monaghan.
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