Posted online: Jan 21st, 2010

Donegal 2-17 Tyrone 4-11
Michael Murphy amassed a personal tally of 2-9 to help Donegal come from behind and force a draw with Tyrone in their McKenna Cup match in Ballybofey last night (Wednesday).
After coming on as a second-half sub against Cavan and sealing the win with a late point, the Glenswilly marksman showed his class against the Ulster Champions in MacCumhaill Park. Those who braved the wintery conditions were rewarded with an entertaining and high-scoring spectacle that resulted in the local rivals sharing the spoils.
Donegal’s defence of the McKenna Cup remains on track after they staged a comeback in the second half to earn a draw. Tyrone led by 3-8 to 1-9 at the interval, with the excellent Martin Penrose finding the Donegal net on three occasions to give the Red Hand men a comfortable lead. The last of those goals came deep into stoppage time, with Penrose taking advantage of the new rule that requires the ball to go dead before the half can conclude. Murphy had fired 1-6 to keep Donegal in it at the break and spearheaded a Donegal resurgence when play resumed. John Joe Doherty’s men continued to fight for a result and were given a lifeline when Murphy scored his second goal six minutes from time. Colm McFadden held his nerve in the dying seconds of the match to score the equalising point and secure the draw for Donegal.
Donegal now face St Mary’s on Saturday in MacCumhaill Park at 7pm.
Donegal: P Durcan; J Keaney, N McGee, C McCarron; E Waide, K Lacey, M Maguire; N Gallagher, K Cassidy; E Kelly (0-1), C McFadden (0-5, 2f), D Gallagher (0-1); A Hanlon, M Murphy (2-9, 6f, 2 45), G Concarr. Subs: D Walsh (0-1) for McCarron, F McNulty for D Gallagher, C Gallagher for Hanlon.
Tyrone: M O’Neill; M Swift, Justin McMahon, Joe McMahon; G Teague (0-1), C Gormley, S O’Neill; A Cassidy, K Hughes; E McGinley, B McGuigan, T McGuigan (0-4, 4f); N Gormley (0-2), M Penrose (3-3, 1f), G Devlin (0-1). Subs: M Donnelly for Devlin, K Coney (1-0) for T McGuigan, E McCosker for N Gormley, R McNabb for C Gormley, P Harte for B McGuigan