Tyrone boosted his chances of avoiding joining Delhi by being kicked out of Division 1 of the Allianz Football League as he defeated unlimited Donegal 0-25 to 0-19 at Letterkenny.
Michael Murphy was in Donegal’s lineup and appeared on the field at O’Donnell Park, but Mark Curran, Hugh McFadden, Jamie Brennan and Neil O’Donnell were the only starters to be maintained from Delhi’s victory two weeks ago.
Murphy’s early glow helped the home side continue walking in their red hands first, but visitors took the final three scores of the first half to lead 0-12 to 0-7, with Ciaran Daly taking the second score after Donegal’s offense broke.
Niall Morgan’s two-point free helped Tyrone extend its advantage from 0-17 to 0-8 as Tyrone dominated 10 minutes after reopening.
Caolan McColgan and Odhran Doherty’s two-pointers helped to reduce Tyrone’s advantage from 0-20 to 0-16 with 17 minutes remaining, while Morgan’s second placed two-pointers had a steady score for the red hand.
Tyrone managed the game well in the final stages as an impressive Matty Donnelly point, with Seaney O’Donnell and Darren McCurry keeping Donegal at bay.
Murphy was kicked out by playing in seven minutes and it was not immediately clear whether he picked up a knock.
The 2012 All-Ireland winner skipper looked sharp when he rode his side’s scoresheet in the first half, fighting Tyrone’s full-back Peter Teague.
Despite changes to the mid-week rules of the Football Review Committee, which aimed to curb the situation at 12V11 on offense, Tyrone Keeper Morgan regularly ventured into half Donegal’s, but also taller his own goals to beat Charles McGuinness’ first goal chances.
Despite the difference in scoring better than Armor, who has five league points, Tyrone will remain in the relegation position by an All-Ireland Champions victory dant in round two that enters the second round of the final round next weekend.
Therefore, Tyron must avoid Omar’s defeat against Dublin and get the opportunity to avoid a drop while Armor demoted Delhi.
Also, Kelly is not safe as he sits at six points and is not a seven-mayo despite his victory at Celtic Park on Sunday.
Donegal slips to third place at the table behind Galway and Dublin, with all three sides scoring eight points, and Jim McGuinness’s side Mayo will face Mayo next weekend.
