Tyrone 5-11 Donegal 3-16 By Cóilín Duffy It was an All-Ireland victory to savour according to Tyrone captain Stephen Donnelly as the Carrickmore clubman became the first man to lift the Lory Meagher Cup thanks to a close-run one-point victory over Donegal at Croke Park. Goals win games, but this was a Tyrone side who dug deep as they overcame a nine-point deficit to stage a second half goal rush that left the hundreds in Croke Park on the edge of their seats throughout. Tyrone began this game in a determined fashion as a seventh minute Garry Fox goal set the early tone, with the Red Hands leading by 1-3 to 0-2 after ten minutes. But Donegal failed to lie down easily as a trio of points in succession from Kevin Campbell (one free and one 65) and midfielder Stephen Boyle, cut the deficit to a point by the 19h minute. Scores from Conor Grogan and Justin Kelly ensured Tyrone regained their three-point advantage, but Tony Fawl's charges weren't to lead again until the 54th minute - after a Lee Henderson goal leveled the tie at 1-5 each. It was the start of a golden spell for Donegal who added points Colm Breathnach and Kevin Campbell and although Kelly etched off a point for Tyrone - Donegal finished the opening half the stronger as points from Mickey McCann and Danny Cullen ensured a 1-9 to 1-6 interval lead. But Tyrone weren't finished yet and signaled their early intent at the start of the second half, with Conor Grogan adding a point 37 seconds after the restart. Donegal added 1-4 without reply including a Paddy Hannigan 43rd minute goal as the men from the North East opened up a 2-13 to 1-7 lead. But Tyrone gave a power-packed display from then until the finish with first half substitute Peadar McMahon providing the perfect answer to Hannigan's goal with a three-pointer of his own within 30 seconds. This gave the Red Hands the lift they needed, as they fired on all cylinders for the remainder of this match. Goals from Shea McKiver, Justin Kelly and Rory O'Neill in the final quarter were instrumental as their side led by 5-11 to 2-15 with nine minutes remaining. Donegal did stage a late rally with a Niall Campbell point and a late Danny Cullen goal cutting the deficit to a point in the 68th minute. However despite four minutes remaining, including two of injury-time, Donegal couldn't find an equaliser to secure extra-time as Tyrone held out for a one-point win. Tyrone - D McCabe; S P Begley, D Maguire, M Kelly; T McIntosh, S Donnelly, C Gallagher; J Kelly (1-4, 3f, 1 '65), T Hughes; D Lavery (0-1), P O'Connor (0-1), S McKiver (1-1); C Grogan (0-4), R O'Neill (2-0), G Fox (1-0). Subs: P McMahon (1-0) for G Fox (29), A Kelly for P O'Connor (h-t) Donegal - R Scanlon; M McGrath, J Boyle, W Scanlon; J Donnelly (0-1), C Breathnach (0-1), C McLaughlin; D Cullen (1-1), S Boyle (0-1); C Mathewson, S McVeigh (0-2), K Campbell (0-7, 5f, 1 '65); L Henderson (1-0), G O'Dwyer, N Campbell (0-1). Subs: M McCann (0-2) for G O'Dwyer (13), P Hannigan (1-0) for C Mathewson (h-t), M McGee for S McVeigh (60) Ref - T Carroll (Offaly) Tweet

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