Tipperary native Davin Flynn was on fire as Donegal defeated Tyrone in Letterkenny to keep alive their promotion hopes in Division 3A.
Donegal 2-14 Tyrone 0-15
Flynn scored 2-8 to inspire Ardal McDermott’s team to victory.
Flynn hails from Roscrea in Tipperary, but is living in Letterkenny and has decided to line out for Donegal this season – and he was the big difference today.
“I love it here,” Flynn said. “The boys have taken me on like a brother and been really good to me. It’s the game I love so it’s always a bonus to get out there and play for an hour.
“The lads are very dedicated here in Donegal.”
Flynn riffled home the first of his goals after taking a pass from Declan Coulter, a Nicky Rackard All-Star with Armagh last year, who has also taken up residency in Donegal.
Flynn’s goal helped Donegal to a 1-7 to 0-8 lead at half-time.
Damien Casey and Rory Grugan kept Tyrone in touch and the Red Hands were within a point when Matthew Mulgrew arched over in the 45th minute.
Flynn flicked over another point before he marched his way in from the left-hand side to fire home a wonderful second goal.
Flynn popped over a free – his only score from a deadball – to stretch the Tir Chonaill advantage.
Tiarnan Morgan and Casey clipped points for Tyrone, but Flynn ended the day with two fine points to cap a magnificent day at the office.
The ever-modest Flynn said: “The team performance shone through. It worked out well on the day and we got the win.
“We put the head down and worked after the Monaghan loss. The boys are committed enough and good enough to play at a higher level. Hopefully we can get there in the next few weeks.”
Donegal – P Burns; D Grant, J Donnelly, P Doherty; J O’Loughlin, J Boyle, N Cleary; D Cullen (0-2), L Henderson (0-2, 1 ’65); E McDermott, R Kee, D Flynn (2-8, 1f); S Gillespie, R McDermott (0-1), D Coulter (0-1). Subs: C McDermott for Kee (h-t), B Lafferty for Cleary (h-t), K Campbell for Gillespie (60).
Tyrone – J Devlin; R Devlin, B Begley, G Mulgrew; A Kelly, S Donnelly, T Morgan (0-2); C Cross (0-1), D Begley; C Grogan, P Kelly, D Casey (0-5, 1f, 1 ’65); R McKernan (0-3), S Grogan, J Kelly (0-1). Subs: M Mulgrew (0-1) for P.Kelly (48), P Daly for J.Kelly (64)
Ref – K McGeaney (Roscommon)
