Tyrone 'just ran out of juice' in defeat to Donegal: Brian Dooher

Brian Dooher felt that a second period of extra time in a week ultimately zapped Tyrone's remaining energy as the Red Hands succumbed to Donegal.

A rousing encounter at Celtic Park saw Donegal emerge to book a place in the May 12 Ulster final against Armagh.

Donegal full-back Brendan McCole sent the game to extra time with a dramatic late point, tying it up at 0-14 apiece. Having been taken to extra time by Cavan seven days earlier, it just proved too much, too soon for Tyrone.

“They just ran out of juice,” Dooher said. “That's no shame after two weeks in a row and the bodies are a bit sore. It was just too much at the end up.

“We had a chance to win it in normal time and we were just pipped at the post. We didn't have the wee bit of zip and energy in extra time to get the opportunities. We still had chances that we didn't take and in extra time we didn't create enough chances.”

Against Cavan, Tyrone handed out nine Championship debuts. Liam Gray, their goalscorer in the quarter-final, was absent as Donegal ran out 0-18 to 0-16 winners.

Dooher said: “I can't fault them for effort. They gave everything they had. That's all we want every day that they go out.

“Every day they go out they're getting more and more experience. We know what these boys are about and what character they have. They have showed it in the League and so far in the Championship.

“They will learn from it and will get better. We just have to polish out the rougher edges and push forward – and not forget to take the good things with it.”