The visitors started the brightest, kicking the first two scores of the game as the deadly duo of Darragh Canavan and Darren McCurry opened their accounts.
As was to be expected the Tir Chonaill men responded, kicking the next four scores without reply.
Jason McGee, Oisin Gallen, Ciaran Thompson and Peadar Mogan all landed in a ten minute spell of dominance.
McCurry stopped the rot off of his right foot before Darragh Canavan spurned a goal chance when, after racing away and exchanging passes with Conn Kilpatrick and Michael McKernan, his effort flew agonisingly beyond the left hand post.
Patrick McBrearty and another from Gallen edged Donegal three ahead before, as Tyrone started to go after Sean Patton’s kick-out, two scores from Kieran McGeary brought it back to a one point game.
The Ulster Champions almost struck a hammer blow five minutes before the break as Ciaran Thompson streaked clear but, with the angle suiting the left footer, his shot touched the post before trailing wide as the entirety of the crowd waited for the net to bulge.
