Donegal show their potential

NFL DIVISION TWO Donegal 1-10 Tyrone 0-6:IT'S EARLY days yet for Donegal, but new manager Jim McGuinness appears to have infused some spirit and desire into his side.

A seven-point win over Tyrone at Healy Park, and a resounding one at that, has them unbeaten after two rounds of NFL Division Two.

The Red Hands could be facing into the beginning of a crisis. Relegated from Division One last year, they have yet to win a game in the current campaign.

McGuinness has placed a heavy emphasis on building an effective defensive formula, and he was delighted with the success of his plan in this Ulster derby victory.

“We’re obviously trying to work very hard on that aspect of our game. There are some excellent teams in Division Two this year, and if you’re not on your toes, you’re going to be punished severely,” he said.

“I suppose all the lads tonight did a good job, and the lads that came off the bench as well did give us a bit of continuity in relation to what we’re trying to do, and we’d be happy with that as well.”

“It’s a long time since we have come here and got a result . . .”

Tyrone boss Mickey Harte said nothing went right for his side on the night. “I can’t fault our players, they tried very hard, and almost everything they tried didn’t come off. It’s one of those nights,” he said.

Donegal fell three points behind in the opening stages and it looked promising for Tyrone when they eased into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead, with Martin Penrose converting a couple of frees. But Donegal got their defensive house in order, and two points each from Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden had them level at the break on 0-5 each. Substitute Dermot Molloy banged home a goal three minutes into the second half, and Tyrone could find no way back, scoring just one point after the break.

Karl Lacey and Paddy McGrath were imperious at the back, and Murphy and McFadden steered over the scores that saw the visitors clinch an impressive win.

DONEGAL: P Durkan; P McGrath, N McGee, K Mulhern; K Lacey, L McLoone (0-1), A Thompson; M McElhinney, R Bradley; D Walsh, M McHugh, D McLaughlin; S Griffin, M Murphy (0-3, two frees), C McFadden (0-4, three frees). Subs: F McGlynn for Mulhern, D Molloy (1-2) for Walsh, C Classon for Bradley, A Hanlon for Griffin.

TYRONE: P McConnell; A McCrory, C McCarron, R McMenamin; D Harte, C Gormley, D Carlin; K Hughes, N McKenna; P Harte (0-1), B McGuigan, S Cavanagh (0-1, free); M Penrose (0-3, three frees), S O'Neill, E McGinley (0-1). Subs: O Mulligan for McKenna, A Cassidy for McGuigan, D McCaul for McCarron.

Referee: P Fox(Westmeath).