It probably wouldn’t have affected the result.
Tyrone had too much legs for Derry in Celtic Park on Sunday. They had too much in reserve sitting primed on the bench ready to be unleashed by Mickey Harte. And they had too much slickness in their system – a counter-attacking game plan which seemingly caught Damian Barton on the hop. Somehow.
But, during the second half, the Oak Leafers rallied against the odds and brought one score between the teams at a stage.
The big board read 0-11 to 0-8 in favour of Tyrone and Derry were just sniffing a little bit of blood.
Then Mattie Donnelly took a risk when he seemed to raise his hand at Chrissy McKaigue who was man-marking the Red Hands’ driving force and doing it well.
Off the ball, Donnelly and McKaigue come shoulder-to-shoulder.
McKaigue’s hands are out and Donnelly drives at him.
Another little shoulder.
Donnelly lifts his hand and seems to make contact with McKaigue’s face.
There’s a follow-through.
McKaigue’s reaction is delayed but he looked to have been caught.
See for yourself.
WATCH!
Was Tyrone's Mattie Donnelly lucky to stay on the field after this incident with Chrissy McKaigue? #Ulster2017 pic.twitter.com/K6W0dSC5Bw— eir Sport (@eirSport) May 28, 2017
