Christy Toye (right) had a fine game in the Donegal attack

As Donegal fans were joyfully hailing the success, McEniff was unconvincingly lamenting his team's first half display to quote-seeking journalists.

But inwardly, McEniff must have been chuckling after his team's success.

"We were very poor in the first half but great credit to the lads for their second half display," said McEniff.

"Our young lads played well and to beat the All-Ireland champions with 14 men is special although it's clear to me that Tyrone are a tired team at the moment.

"We set our stall out to reach the Ulster final and we're there.

"Hard work was the key to our success but we will have to move up another notch if we are to overcome Armagh on 11 July."

Giving his reaction to Niall McCready's sending-off, McEniff hinted that the Donegal defender had been provoked but he had little complaint with Gerry Kinneavy's decision.

"I would be annoyed about an incident before the sending off but Niall lost his composure and there's no excuse for that."

McEniff agreed that Colm McFadden had "made the difference" in the game and said that the forward had been rewarded for "showing application this year that maybe had not been there previously".

We knew we had it in us to beat Tyrone Colm McFadden

The Donegal boss dedicated the victory to Michael Oliver McIntyre, a member of his management team, who had to miss the game because of illness.

"The result will be perfect therapy to Michael Oliver," added McEniff.

Donegal hero McFadden said the team had been very confident going into the game.

"We knew we had it in us to beat Tyrone," he said.

"The boys played really well and we worked hard right to the end.

"It gives you extra incentive when you are playing the All-Ireland champions and Brian McEniff told us it was all to play for in the second half.

"Having said that, we have another game to go in the Ulster Championship.

The next few games will show whether the hunger is still there Mickey Harte

"There is no point beating Tyrone and then losing the final. We must produce an even better display against Armagh."

"Gutted" Tyrone boss Mickey Harte said his players' response to Sunday's defeat would show whether they had the necessary hunger to follow-up last year's All-Ireland success.

"There will be question marks about our hunger after this defeat and the next few games will show whether the hunger is still there," acknowledged Harte.

"But we have had one bad day in the middle of a good 12 to 15 months.

"We made mistakes in this game. The players made mistakes and I made mistakes but we've now got to dust ourselves down and try to regroup for the qualifiers.

"Donegal proved they are a quality side and credit to them. They would have been a match for anyone on that form."

Despite the defeat, Harte said he was "proud" of the players efforts.

"The players gave it everything but as Van Morrison says:'There will be days like this'."