Donegal selector Neil McGee admitted the Ulster champions “weren’t at it from the beginning” as they fell to a 2-17 to 0-20 defeat by Tyrone in Saturday’s All-Eire round-robin opener in Ballybofey.
In a recreation that ebbed and flowed, Donegal led with seven minutes remaining, however Tyrone rallied late, hitting the final 5 scores – together with Peter Harte’s two-pointer – at hand Jim McGuinness a primary defeat at Ballybofey in league or championship soccer.
Seanie O’Donnell scored each of Tyrone’s targets whereas Darren McCurry chipped in with seven factors.
“We took the ball into contact too many instances, turned the ball over too many instances, we weren’t at it from the beginning and Tyrone most likely deserved it,” McGee instructed GAA+.
“It is a lengthy season. You are going to the nicely each week and attempting to stand up there day by day, we simply did not get to the pitch of it right this moment and Tyrone have been at it.
“At 66 minutes, we have been two factors up, we had possession and provides it away, Tyrone went up and I do not suppose we touched the ball once more after that.
“We had the sport in our palms, give it away and so they bought three factors. Slim margins however we solely have ourselves responsible.”
In distinction, Tyrone boss Malachy O’Rourke hailed the character his aspect confirmed after shedding skilled duo Brian Kennedy and Padraig Hampsey to damage.
“We bought an excellent begin however at half-time we misplaced two leaders (Brian Kennedy and Padraig Hampsey) and it might have been an evening the place we stated, ‘we have put in an excellent present but it surely wasn’t going to be our night time’,” O’Rourke, the one supervisor to have overwhelmed McGuinness within the Ulster Championship, instructed GAA+.
“The best way Donegal got here again and we all the time knew they’d as they’re a high quality group. They went forward and once more, we might have folded up our tents, however the composure the boys confirmed and willingness to combat for one another, get again forward and maintain it was actually pleasing.
“It solely will get us two factors, but it surely’s an excellent begin to the group and we simply must calm down and look in direction of subsequent week.”
Subsequent week in Group One, Tyrone host Mayo in a rerun of the 2021 All-Eire ultimate whereas Donegal will try and bounce again away to Cavan.
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