DONEGAL CAUGHT RED-HANDED

TYRONE gave themselves a fighting chance of staying in Division 1 with victory over an understrength Donegal in Letterkenny.

- BY CHRIS McNULTY

Goalkeeper Niall Morgan starred as Malachy O'Rourke's men had six points to spare.

Morgan aced a pair of two-point frees in the second half as Tyrone, for now at least, avoided making the drop.

With 15 minutes to go, Donegal — who made 11 changes to their line-up were within five points having trailed by nine.

Mattie Donnelly and Seanie O'Donnell stretched that lead before Donegal sub Eoin McHugh rattled the crossbar.

After Galway fought back to draw with Tyrone two weeks’ ago, Red Hands boss O'Rourke arrived in O'Donnell Park knowing his men needed to win or Division 2 would call.

“We have to go try to win in every game so it's been a great learning experience for us. At least we are going in with that fighting chance of staying up — and that's very important”

Dublin roll into Omagh next weekend when Tyrone will put their Division 1 spot on the line.

O'Rourke said: “Dublin will want to be in the League final and they're playing very well.