DECLAN BONNER’S EXPRESSION told the story for him.
The Donegal Under-21 manager was the picture of dejection after his team’s campaign was ended by Tyrone at Celtic Park in an eventful Ulster semi-final.
Tyrone had four points to spare, but it was a game Donegal felt they’d left behind them.
Six first-half wides contributed to their downfall, but it was the dismissals of Stephen McMenamin and Bruce Waldron, as well as a black card for Caolan McGonagle, that hurt Donegal more than anything.
“The lads gave it everything,” sighed Bonner.
“We feel that it was a good sporting game and we’re very annoyed with some of the decisions in the second half, to be quite honest. We ended up with 13 men and once that happened it was game over.
“It wasn’t a dirty match by any manner of means. The lads gave it their all and it was a disappointing way to finish.”
Donegal began with three wides in the opening two minutes of the game, while Tyrone’s goalkeeper Sean Fox made vital saves to prevent goals for Stephen McBrearty and Jamie Brennan at different stages.
Bonner said: “We just weren’t clinical enough. The boys battled and we got back to all square, but the sendings off killed us.
“You have to take chances like that at this level. Tyrone took their chances and that’s why they’re the All-Ireland champions and that’s why they’re into the Ulster final. We’re very disappointed.
“The lads kept battling to the finish, but it’s a disappointing exit. We felt that there was a performance in us. While we played well for long periods, we didn’t have it in the final third and our decision making wasn’t good enough.”
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