The Strabane Chronicle

ULSTER U21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL

TYRONE 0-12 – 0-06 DONEGAL

Tyrone advance to a semi-final meeting with Down in the Ulster U21 Championship on April 4 after a laboured win over Donegal in Omagh.

Forced to line out without inspirational captain Ronan O’Neill after the Omagh forward suffered a suspected ruptured cruciate, the Red Hands surged into an early first-half lead.

Tyrone put five points on the scoreboard, with Edendork corner-forward Darren McCurry impressing, before Donegal opened their account on 27 minutes courtesy of Dermot Molloy.

Ronan O'Neill on crutches after suffering a serious knee injury in training on Monday night.

Leading by seven points to two at half-time, Tyrone’s work-rate in defence continually frustrated Donegal. But it was the Red Hands who, despite remaining in control, were frustrated in the second, seeing a seven point lead reduced to four.

With Donegal failing to convert a series of opportunities, the Red Hands kicked on once more in the closing stages, helped by a Thomas Canvan point and a fifth on the night from McCurry to finish six points clear at the finish.

Down  now stand in the way of a potential Ulster final with either Cavan or Derry on April 11.