Allianz Hurling League Division 3A final
Donegal 4-25 Tyrone 1-11
IN hurling there is no real substitute for class – those wristy flicks that separate artists from artisans.
Former Tipperary intermediate star Davin Flynn had it in abundance as he hit a magnificent 2-8 from play to effectively hammer Tyrone, in Celtic Park.
Lee Henderson also weighed with 0-7 in a victory puts Ardal McDermott’s men back up with the bigger boys in Division 2B.
Rampant Donegal were never in any real difficulty and sprinted to a 3-11 to 0-4 lead by half-time – effectively sealing the outcome of the encounter.
They were rampant in the opening quarter, and into the start of the second quarter, leading by 2-8 to 0-0 after 19 minutes, with Tyrone registering five wides by that stage.
Henderson followed up his early point from play with two pointed frees in-a-row, before Flynn slotted the ball past Tyrone veteran keeper John Devlin for the opening goal after eight minutes.
Points from Offaly native Niall Cleary and Flynn (2) ensured a 1-6 to 0-0 lead after 13 minutes, before Cleary made an excellent catch inside and fed Flynn who ensured a 12-point gap.
Bernard Lafferty and Flynn added fine scores, but Tyrone were eager for scores.
Mattie Lennon's charges eventually opened their account in the 19th minute, after Damien Casey claimed a well-struck point from play.
However, Donegal continued to impress, with Tyrone guilty of some indiscipline, and the Red Hands had five yellow cards in the opening 29 minutes.
Four were in defence, with Ruairi and Lorcan Devlin and Tiarnan Morgan, along with forwards Pierse O'Kelly and Ryan McKernan in the notebook of Clare referee Rory McGann at this stage.
Conor Grogan, Casey and Aidy Kelly added Tyrone points, but Donegal's hat-trick was completed in first half injury-time, when Stephen Gllespie netted to ensure a 3-11 to 0-4 interval lead.
Donegal began the second half brightly, firing 1-1 unanswered including a Ronan McDermott goal.
Flynn was provider, and although keeper Devlin blocked the Burt man’s initial effort, he made no mistake from the rebound.
However, the middle third of the second half was well balanced, with Casey cutting in for a 61st minute goal to ensure a 4-19 to 1-10 score-line.
Tyrone were reduced to 14 men at this stage after a straight red card for substitute Mike O'Gorman. O'Gorman was less than five minutes on the pitch, before being sent to the line, with Flynn picking up a yellow card in the same incident.
Donegal came good again towards the end, firing six of the last seven points, with Henderson, Flynn, McDermott, Jamie De Ward and Joe Boyle on target.
Donegal: P Burns; D Grant, J Donnelly, P Doherty; J Boyle (0-2), J O’Loughlin, C Finn; D Cullen (0-1), L Henderson (0-7, 6f); B Lafferty (0-2), C Melaugh (0-1), R McDermott (1-1); S Gillespie (1-0), N Cleary (0-1), D Flynn (2-8). Subs: Jamie De Ward (0-2) for Lafferty (48); C McDermott for Finn (57); G Gilmore for Cleary (61); R Kee for Melaugh (61); S Curran for Flynn (70).
TYRONE: J Devlin; R Devlin, B Begley, S Muldoon; L Devlin, S Donnelly, T Morgan; C Cross, D Begley; C Grogan (0-2), P O’Kelly, R McKernan; M Mulgrew (0-1), D Casey (1-6, 2f), P Daly. Subs: A Kelly (0-1) for O’Kelly (23); B for Daly (25); P McHugh (0-1) for McKernan (HT); M O’Gorman for Muldoon (48); D Marshall for Cross (60).
Referee: R McGann (Clare)
