TYRONE started this match by giving a guard of honour to the All-Ireland champions – but that’s where the generosity stopped in this National League Division One clash at Healy Park in Omagh.
Donegal are down to 14 men for the second half after Murphy was sent off towards the end of the first half.
The hosts took the lead in the first couple of minutes, goalkeeper Niall Morgan coming up the field to point from a free kick.
There were some scrappy challenges early on, one one occasion Tyrone’s Stephen O’Neill holding onto the ball on the ground well after the whistle as the Red Hand county attempted to disrupt the Donegal play.
Donegal drew level with a Colm McFadden point, again from a free in the seventh minute.
Tyrone then had a goal chance, rattling the upright before Higgins pointed to give them the lead again, with Cavanagh pointing in the 15th minute to extend the lead to 0-03 to 0-01.
Michael Murphy then followed up with a stunning point from out on the right after twisting and turning the Tyrone defence.
Jim McGuinness on the sidelines appeared upset with the officials as Cavanagh appeared to over-run the ball. Tyrone went on to score a fourth point from a subsequent free given to them.
Murphy then hit the upright with a 21st minute free, leaving the score four points to two for Tyrone.
But he didn’t miss from play two minutes later, McFadden winning the ball and laying it off to the Glenswilly man for another wonderful point.
Donegal started getting into a decent rhythm, with the officials finally taking action against Tyrone players for off the ball hits on Donegal players, and Patrick McNiece went into the book.
Ryan Bradley, who had a good first half, then saw a chance of an equalising point turned away by the Red Hand keeper.
However Murphy then pointed the 45 to tie the sides at four points apiece in the 28th minute.
Just before the half hour mark keeper Morgan pointed from another free, with McLoone joining Murphy and McHugh in the book.
And in the 33rd minute Tyrone extended the lead to two points.
Ross McWherrity then ran through on goal, was dragged to the ground and the referee awarded a penalty.
Murphy missed the subsequent penalty and when he went to follow up he was adjudged to have fouled a Tyrone defender.
And he was shown a red card and sent off.
Despite one Donegal player clearly being punched in the face in the melee that followed, the referee took no action against Tyrone.
And as the players headed for the tunnel at half-time, Donegal No2 Rory Gallagher could be seen remonstrating with the referee.
Half-time – Tyrone 0-06, Donegal 0-04.
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