Donegal edged out Tyrone in a breathtaking extra-time thriller at Celtic Park to go through to an Ulster SFC final meeting with Armagh on 12 May.
An epic tie in Derry city enthralled a crowd of 14,714, with Jim McGuinness once again working the oracle as his side came late to edge out their great rivals.
Tyrone held the edge for lengthy spells, but the sides were level on nine occasions, before Tir Chonaill produced a strong finish.
Paddy McBrearty returned to the action after being substitute to kick two crucial scores to break the hearts of Tyrone supporters.
Jason McGee's towering performance in the latter stages of the game helped his side get on top of a Red Hand side that had to go to extra-time for the second time in a week, and in the end it proved too much.
The pre-match loss of goalkeeper Shaun Patton robbed Donegal of a kick-out specialist and key element in the McGuinness strategy, with Gavin Mulreany coming in to deputise, while Tyrone welcomed back Conn Kilpatrick, Cathal McShane and Mickey O’Neill in late changes to their starting line-up.
Tyrone conceded the opposition kick-out, allowing Donegal to build from deep for Niall O’Donnell’s early score, but they were ahead by the tenth minute, Darren McCurry and Darragh Canavan on target from frees.
With Mattie Donnelly constantly probing from deep, the Red Hands had Donegal pinned back in their own half for sustained spells, the strong press preventing dynamic wing backs Ryan McHugh and Peadar Mogan from making their trademark offensive runs.
But Oisin Gallen and Daire O Baoill kept them very much in touch, and Ciaran Thompson steered over a brilliante score despite the pressure of two defenders.
But their finishing was less than efficient otherwise, and a rash of
Read more on rte.ie
rte.ie
