The Logan-Dooher era began in Omagh last night in very much the same manner that the Harte era ended, with a narrow defeat to a controlled Donegal side behind closed doors. It was a fourth league or championship defeat in a row to our neighbours who very much have the hex over us in recent times since our championship victories over them three years on the trot between 2016 and 2018.
Michael Murphy turned in another composed performance and his organisational skills proved to be the difference between the sides. It was a more open game of football than last year’s championship showdown at Ballybofey. Tyrone lost Ronan McNamee to a head injury early in the first half and a red card to Michael O’Neill early in the second half effectively spoiled the game as a contest despite the gap never stretching to more than four points on the scoreboard. He was skating on thin ice already on a yellow card and will need to learn from the experience.
The main highlight of the match was the debut of Dungannon’s Paul Donaghy. He felt immediately at home at intercounty level kicking ten points, four of them from play, in an assured performance. Conor McKenna generated most of the positivity surrounding Tyrone last autumn but he was well shackled throughout the game and will regret some poor decision making in front of goal. Donegal’s veteran defender Neil McGee was untested and that will be a source of frustration to Tyrone as will a tally of 11 wides to Donegal’s six.
Tyrone still have key players to return and management will remain confident that we can pick up maximum points against Armagh and Monaghan over the next fortnight to avoid a relegation playoff, most likely against Galway or Roscommon.
Unofficial Tyrone 