GAA

How the Donegal players rated: Niall O’Donnell stands tallest to find a way

Ryan McHugh was instrumental in Donegal finishing strongly

Peadar Mogan takes on Michael McKernan in Donegal's win over Tyrone. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin
Peadar Mogan takes on Michael McKernan in Donegal's win over Tyrone. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin

Gavin Mulreany: Not wholly unexpected that he played. Only real error in normal time allowed Tyrone to go 0-11 to 0-9 ahead. Decent effect when he went long. 6.5

Mark Curran: Kept Darren McCurry scoreless and was comfortable defensively. Got on loads of ball but Tyrone allowed him to, didn’t have the confidence to run into the gaps he’d created. Crucial nuisance forced Morgan’s error for McCole’s equaliser. 7

Brendan McCole: Marshalled Darragh Canavan really well in the first half. Things opened out and the battle swung with it, Canavan ending up with two from play and a mark. Popped up with the crucial late equaliser on his left foot. 7

Ciaran Moore: Cathal McShane got on plenty of ball but his own wastefulness meant Moore stayed in the battle. Decision making on the ball wasn’t as good this week. 6



Ryan McHugh: Doubled back on Darragh Canavan and was effective in that role, but was tagged himself by Seanie O’Donnell when Donegal had possession. Took him a while to break into his stride but finished strongly. 7.5

Caolan McGonagle: Had more good moments than bad. A poor solo led to a turnover from which Tyrone scored, but he instantly redeemed himself with a point. Really growing into his defensive role. 7

Peadar Mogan: At times Tyrone exposed him defensively and on kickouts against Ciaran Daly, but when the ball was on the ground, Mogan had huge influence on Donegal’s attacking play. Tireless running. Made the break for McBrearty’s score to seal it. 7

Jason McGee: The kickout battle bypassed midfield in the first half. Took it by the scruff after the break, getting two crucial early scores, and was so much more heavily involved from then on. 7

Michael Langan: Continues to find his feet in an orthodox midfield role that asks different questions of him as a player. Solid defensive display barring an early foul on Hampsey that led to Tyrone’s first score. 6.5

Shane O’Donnell: Played in Mattie Donnelly’s space in the first half but didn’t get any pressure on the ball as Donnelly hurt Donegal. Better after half-time as so many were. Crucial break to fist a point that pushed them ahead in extra-time. 6.5

Ciaran Thompson: Had a poor first half, got caught waiting on a ball, beaten by Seanie O’Donnell for a score, his shooting was off. But came good, including one brilliant point from out wide when Donegal really needed it. 6.5

Daire Ó Baoill: Kicked two really fine points. The second, where he soloed twice on the left before shooting on the right, was excellent. Taken off and then put back on. 7

Patrick McBrearty: Taken off at half-time having struggled in his primary role of score-getting, dropping one badly short and following it up with a wide. Came back on for extra-time and kicked two more wides before landing a brilliant final score. 6

Oisin Gallen: Didn’t get much joy out of Padraig Hampsey, scoreless from play and wild with a couple of shots. Kicked three wides. Pointed three frees. Taken off in extra-time after cramping up. 6

STAR MAN: Niall O’Donnell: Instrumental in everything good about Donegal’s attacking play. Kicked two points himself. In extra-time, he won the kickout for Jeaic McKelvey’s point and won two frees, one of which McBrearty scored, missing the other. Was also asked to track Michael McKernan’s attacking forays. 8.5

SUBS

Aaron Doherty: Got on loads of ball, did a few good things with it, but seemed shot-shy when he had opportunities. Taken off again then put back on again. 6.5

Jamie Brennan: Affected Tyrone’s kickouts, causing turnovers on two of them. Being hooked again for extra-time seemed harsh. 6.5

Jeaic McKelvey: Burst through to fist an early point in extra-time. 6.5

Caolan McColgan: Solid 20 minutes of extra-time after returning from injury. 6.5