Tyrone are Dalata Hotel Group Ulster Under-20 champions once again, but they had to go to the well a couple of times to get the better of Donegal in an extra-time thriller.
The All-ireland champions led by seven points at one stage down the additional stretch, but were hauled back by a determined opponent that struck for goals at crucial stages.
A cagey contest burst into life in the second half of normal time, and continued to ebb and flow through extra-time, with the Red Hands doing just enough to hold on, with the help of a nine-point haul from full forward Ruairi McCullagh
Tyrone, with the wind in their backs, launched themselves into attack straight away, going ahead through Ruairi McCullagh, from a '45, and Noah Grimes.
But Donegal soon had the danger areas identified, and set about shoring up the gaps that had been opening up in those early minutes.
They set themselves up in a well-organised defensive shut-out, forcing their opponents to recycle and restricting the scoring opportunities.
Senior star Finbarr Roarty, Max Campbell and Callum McCrea led the way in the Tir Chonaill resistance effort, forcing turnovers and launching their side into attack
Having hit their first score through Conor McGinty after ten minutes, Donegal moved the ball patiently into the wind, picking their moments to get Kevin Muldoon and McGinty in for points to go level after 20 minutes.
Tyrone were guilty of profligacy, hitting a rash of wides and giving their opponents the opportunity to take the lead for the first time through midfielder Muldoon on the half-hour.
But stoppage time scores from Caolan Donnelly and McCullagh sent the Red Hands in with a 0-05 to 0-04 lead at the end of a cagey first half.
Donegal, now with the assistance of the wind, went three up within three minutes of the restart with substitute Shane Callaghanand Conor McCahill both sending over two-pointers.
Tyrone hit back with a Joey Clarke goal to go level again, and regained the lead with another McCullagh effort and a Conall Sheehy score.
But a brilliant run from Muldoon sent corner-back Cathal Rua O Gallchoir in to smash home a 50th minute Donegal goal.
The sides were level going into the last five minutes as McCullagh knocked over a couple of frees, and neither side was able to find a winner, with Tyrone pressing but unable to prise an opening through a wall of yellow shirts.
They were level at 1-09 each at the end of normal time, but the Red Hands were seven clear four minutes into extra-time, with McCullagh, Eoin McElholm and Shea McDermott all firing over two-pointers in an explosive burst.
The game was now opening up, and Donegal found a terrific response with 1-02, including a wonderful Seanan Carr goal, but they trailed by 1-17 to 2-11 at the turnaround.
Callaghan brought Donegal back to within a point, but the holders held on with a late McCullagh free to get over the line with two to spare.
Tyrone: C McGarvey; F Nelis, B Hughes, Conor Devlin; C Daly, J Clarke (1-00), C Donnelly (0-01); Conan Devlin, C O’Neill; C Sheehy (0-02), E McElholm (0-03,1tp), M Quinn (0-01); N Grimes (0-01), R McCullagh (0-09, 4f, 1 ’45, 1tp), L Og Mossey.
Subs: S McDermott (0-02, tp) for Grimes (53), S McCann for Mossey (73)
Donegal: P McBride; A Neely, N Prenderville, C O Gallchoir (1-00); M Campbell, F Roarty, C McCrea; S Martin (0-01), K Muldoon (0-02); C McMenamin, C McGinty (0-02), M McDevitt; C McCahill (0-03, 1tp), D Gildea, S Carr (1-01).
Subs: D Monaghan for McMenamin (8), S Callaghan (0-05, 2f, 1tp) for Gildea (h-t), D Mulholland for McDevitt (44), D Gallagher for Neely (55), T Carr for Monaghan (55)
Referee: K Faloon (Armagh).
