TYRONE....................0-14
DONEGAL................1-13
BY BARRY O'DONNELL
DARRAGH O'Donnell pounced for a dramatic winning goal three minutes from time to settle a rip roaring Vocationals semi-final in favour of Donegal at Irvinestown on Friday
With both sides demonstrating marksmanship of the highest order, points were exchanged regularly throughout a vibrant 60 minutes, yet with little to separate the teams a goal was going to prove significant.
The victors were well-served by Conal McGinley in defence, while Darragh White was a pivotal figure in midfield, and Pauric McBreaty a constant threat at full-forward. Tyrone's most eye-catching performances were produced by lively half-back Barry Tierney, the hard working Shay McGuigan and potent attacker Conor McCreesh.
McCreesh was three times on target inside the opening seven minutes, including one free, as the Red Hands tore out of the starting blocks, clearly keen to recapture a trophy that they monopolised earlier this decade.
Yet a tidy point from half-back Barry Griffin and McBrearty's first converted free of the contest helped Donegal settle to their task. Enda McGahan burst up the middle to double Tyrone's advantage again, but with White coming to the fore, the Tir Connail boys wrested almost complete control around the midway stage in the first period.
Tyrone struggled to quell the tide as McBrearty swung over a couple of frees and White and John O'Malley also split the posts with composed finishes to leap frog Donegal ahead 0-6 to 0-4 after 20 minutes.
Shea Tennesson (free) and Darragh Donnelly stemmed the flow by raising white flags for Tyrone at the other end, but in the main their forward sector became increasingly isolated, as Donegal held sway.
McBrearty rampaged through to rifle in a shot which went inches over the bar, and the impressive O'Malley and White hoisted superb scores to give Donegal a deserved 0-9 to 0-6 advantage at half-time.
Tyrone were completely revitalised on the restart, McGuigan's subtle promptings helping swing fortunes back in their favour as they stuck over four points on the bounce. McGuigan, Donnelly, Mickey Donaghy and Tierney were the scorers, capping some expansive approach work as Tyrone edged in front 0-10 to 0-9.
It helped set up a riveting finale with the sides swapping scores repeatedly and never more than a point between them.
McBrearty, Owen Grant and O'Malley registered for Donegal, while a brace of McCreesh frees left the semi-final tied up at 0-12 apiece in the 55th minute.
A stunning long distance point from Enda McGahan handed Tyrone a slender lead but then Donegal struck for that dramatic late goal on the break.
White and McBrearty instigated the opportunity before the latter teed up O'Donnell to finish confidently past keeper Darragh McAnenly.
O'Malley tagged on another point and though Tyrone pressed forward all they could muster was an injury time O'Malley free.
There was confusion at first on the final whistle, with referee Brian Crowe declaring the match a draw, but a quick recount ensured the correct outcome.
