The Donegal Masters made their return to the field last night in the competitive surroundings of Killyclogher for the first Championship match of the year against Antrim.
A squad with great depth and experience throughout was at John Mc Nulty’s disposal and the men ran out comfortable winners in the end with an impressive scoring patch in the first half giving the team a good cushion. Every man on the squad got game time and will no doubt continue to push hard in the training.
Donegal dominated the play in the first half and restricted Antrim to a single score which came on the cusp of half time. Martin Gillespie’s repertoire of kick outs were accurate all game and were won by David Mc Shane and Charlie Bonner who controlled the midfield or when necessary to the half backs. Antrim had the first chance to register a score in the game when they won a free after 6 minutes but their centre forward sent the ball wide.
The opening phase of the game involved both teams sussing each other out and attempting to apply their game plans. Four Master’s man Benny Cassidy hit the first score of the game and the first of many to his personal tally of the evening after 8 minutes and followed up with a free then soon after. Antrim tried to respond but another free and attempt went wide.
Donegal soon had the ball in the back of the net after Sean Boyce found Benny Cassidy who offloaded to Gerard Mc Grenra of Glenswilly but the goal was ruled out by the referee. At the 18 minute mark of the first half a Sean Boyce effort in hung in the air and eventually dropped into the arms of Gerard Mc Grenra who confidently slotted past the Antrim goalkeeper and Donegal had their goal and a 5 point lead. A minute later Donegal had their second goal of the game when goal scorer Mc Grenra turned provider for Eddie Gallagher and the lead was now 8 points.
Exquisite play by Seán Mac Cumhaills duo Emmet McCormack and Sean Boyce saw the latter pointing over. Mc Grenra notched over another point on 22 minutes when his long range effort just about cleared the cross bar and Boyce added his second point of the game directly after it. Donegal looked to have another score on the board when John Anthony Mc Mullan’s shot looked to be clean over but veered left. Antrim hit their first score of the half on 29 minutes.
Half time score:
Donegal……2.05
Antrim……..0.01
The second half had a different story to tell than the first half with a much rejuvenated Antrim roaring out of the blocks for the second half and improving on their scoring tally than the first. Gerard Mc Grenra added his second point of the game 5 minutes in and James Mc Bride was called into action to dive and block an attempt at goal. Donegal then went 11 minutes without recording a score with Antrim hitting 4 points in this period.
Sean Boyce broke the scoring deadlock on 16 minutes and the whole team soon upped the level of performance enhanced by the use of a strong bench. Martin Gillespie of Naomh Columba pulled off an excellent save to deny Antrim the chance of a goal and the introduced Johnny Mc Ginty added his own point when he connected sweetly with a bouncing ball to guide the ball over.
Benny Cassidy added three more points with Sean Boyce contributing with a point again from play. Donegal went on to complete the scoring with 5 minutes to go after a Johnny Mc Ginty diagonal ball found Paul Gallagher of Naomh Muire who slotted over. Antrim forced a goal mouth scramble before full time but the defence were on hand to deny any threats.
Full time score:
Donegal……2.13
Antrim……..0.07
Donegal Masters:
Martin Gillespie, Charlie Doherty, Charlie Boyle, Ross Brady, James Mc Bride, Kevin Mc Gettigan, Michael Mc Shane, David Mc Shane, Charlie Bonner, John Anthony Mc Mullan, Gerard Mc Grenra (1.2), Eddie Gallagher (1.0), Benny Cassidy (0.5), Sean Boyce (0.4), Emmet Mc Cormack
Val Murray, Kerry Ryan, Dan Branley, Paul Gallagher (0.1), Martin Mc Shane, Johnny Mc Ginty (0.1), Stephen Wall, Charlie Gallagher, Joe Boyle, Shane Mc Clafferty, Adrian Mc Gettigan, Paul Mc Glynn