Conor Breslin does player ratings for the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final clash between Donegal and Tyrone at MacCumhaill Park.
Donegal
Shaun Patton
Was at fault for the goal when he didn’t collect the high ball. He was predictable in his kickouts to his left side every time which Tyrone caught on to. Saw red deep into injury time which put his side down to 14 men. 4/10
Mark Curran
Was excellent all year but was just not up to the mark when it came to stopping Darren Canavan who scored four points on the day. 5/10
Brendan McCole
The Man of the Match against Monaghan had a difficult day following Darren McCurry. Like Curran, there was too much space in front of their full-back line which gifted the forwards plenty of area to escape their defenders and run into. 5/10
Caolan McColgan
Was one of Donegal’s better players despite having to deal with the experience and excellence of Mattie Donnelly for portions of the match. Did very well when in possession and going forward. Will be proud of his debut season. 6/10
Caolan Ward
The Eunans man was very rarely seen throughout the match. When he went forward he left too much of a gap for the Tyrone forwards to take advantage of. 4/10
Eoghan Ban Gallagher
The Killybegs man had to adjust to life as an inter-county centre-back very quickly. Was key in creating Donegal attacks this season but was closed out by Conor Meyler all day. 5/10
Stephen McMenamin
Not one of his greatest days. Hasn’t been at his best in the wing-back position and it showed when he created very little options and wasn’t quick enough tracking back. 4/10
Caolan McGonagle
Looked very uncomfortable on the ball and was the cause of two key turnovers in Donegal’s attack. Bullied in midfield by Brian Kennedy and Conn Kilpatrick. 4/10
Hugh McFadden
Another Killybegs man who found it hard to deal with the pressure that Tyrone’s midfield caused, especially when going forward. People thought this area would be a weak spot for Donegal and they were right. Hasn’t been up to scratch the last few games unfortunately. 4/10
Daire Ó Baoill
Scored three points last week against Monaghan but had to deal with the wrath of Peter Harte this weekend who went forward every opportunity he got. Had a decent season overall at half-forward. 4/10
Jamie Brennan
Was one of Donegal’s best players in the group stages but was brutally shut out by O’Neill and Harte. He got on the end of only two shots – both of which went wide. 4/10
Ciarán Thompson
A veteran of the squad now, Thompson was able to chalk his name down twice on the scoreboard but looked flat and off the pace other than that. Too much gametime may have played a factor. 5/10
Odhran Doherty
Did well running deep from defence but was caught twice and turned over which resulted in two scores for Tyrone. Subbed off at half-time for Jason McGee when Donegal needed to go for the jugular in terms of scoring. 5/10
Oisín Gallen
Had the beating of Hampsey in the first half but couldn’t get his hands on the ball in the second half when Tyrone was at their most dangerous. Will be a real leader in the future and a team Donegal can build around. 6/10
Patrick McBrearty
Another player who had the beating of his defender but just couldn’t get on the ball enough to do damage inside. 6/10
Subs: Jason McGee, Luke McGlynn, Rory O’Donnell, Brian O’Donnell, Gavin Mulreaney. 4/10
Tyrone
Niall Morgan
Pulled off a 54th-minute save from Jason McGee and only lost three of his own kickouts throughout the match. Very little to do other than that. 7/10
Michael McKernan
Was superb at charging up the field today. Nailed two points inside the opening 20 minutes when he was given the space. Was extremely dangerous throughout. 8/10
Ronan McNamee
Will be happy that his side didn’t concede any goals but knows he has to get tighter on his marking for next week. An overall good performance but allowed Donegal’s inside forwards to get possession too often. 6/10
Padraig Hampsey
The captain will also be happy with his side’s stunning performance but like McNamee alongside him, he knows there will be tougher days ahead in the marking territory. 7/10
Cormac Quinn
Worked his socks off by bombing up the field and doing the simple thing well. The U-20 Tyrone captain from 2021 will be pleased with how far he’s come on as a player with this side. 6/10
Michael O’Neill
Often wearing the number 11 jersey, the centre-back was sent off the last time these sides met in the league. In this championship match he was vital as the extra hand guarding the entrance into Tyrone’s defence. He shut down Donegal’s half-forward line with ease. 7/10
Peter Harte
The Errigal Ciarán man didn’t get on the scoresheet which is very unlike him but found himself in fantastic positions to set up scores. Could’ve had a goal if clubmate Canavan squared him the ball in the first half. 7/10
Brian Kennedy
One of Tyrone’s best performers on the day, he was critical in winning primary possession. Also capable of moving to the inside line to win long ball which resulted in a point before half-time. 7/10
Conn Kilpatrick
Could’ve had a goal chance on the 65th minute but opted for the point instead. Has been a rock for Tyrone this season and there seems to be no sign of him stopping soon. 7/10
Conor Meyler
Took Eoghan Ban Gallagher for a runaround all day which created gaps for Tyrone’s defenders to kick long ball inside to their full-forward line and pressure the Donegal defence. Won Man of the Match. 8/10
Kieran McGeary
Got off to a shaky start by causing two unforced turnovers and a high foul inside his side’s 45 which resulted in a point. But his work-rate out the field especially around midfield cannot be taken for granted. 7/10
Ruairí Canavan
Scored a goal in the opening 60 seconds of the match and could’ve had another from the throw-in only for it to go wide. Finished with a goal and a point on the day and is definitely one of Ireland’s best young players at the moment. 7/10
Darren McCurry
McCurry’s return was inspiring for these Tyrone players. Apart from one unforced turnover in the first half, his performance was close to exceptional finishing with five points. 7/10
Matthew Donnelly
Another star performance from the 32-year-old Trillick man. His experience and knowledge was just too much for the Donegal defence. Hard to believe he didn’t play any championship football in 2022. 8/10
Darragh Canavan
A player who continues to improve week by week. Went for a shot at goal in the first half but missed. He realistically should’ve passed it to his younger brother Ruairí or Peter Harte. Still finished with four points. 7/10
Subs: Frank Burns, Richard Donnelly, Niall Devlin. 6/10
