DONEGAL PROGRESSED TO the semi-finals of the Dr McKenna Cup for the first time in eight years with a fine win against Monaghan in Clones.
Monaghan 0-19 Donegal 4-17
Declan Bonner’s side had Odhrán MacNiallais and Ryan McHugh to thank for first half goals and Patrick McBrearty added a third goal after the break in an excellent personal performance that saw him accumulate 1-8.
Jamie Brennan then posted a fourth to confirm Donegal’s continuation in the competition. Shaun Patton, the Donegal goalkeeper making his first appearance for the county, conceded two penalties but saw Jack McCarron miss the target with his and then saved from Michéal Bannigan.
It means that Donegal now take on Armagh in the last four on Wednesday with Tyrone awaiting in the final next Saturday. A toss of a coin decide on a venue for the semi-final tomorrow, Monday, with MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey and Armagh’s Athletic Grounds the possibilities.
Monaghan and Donegal’s fixture had been rearranged following last week’s postponement at the same St Tiernach’s Park venue due to a partially frozen pitch. Today though, it was Monaghan who were caught in the cold.
MacNiallais endured something of a frustrating return to the senior set-up having been black-carded in just 11 minutes against Fermanagh in Ballybofey on Wednesday night.
However, this afternoon, it took just seven minutes for the Gaoth Dobhair forward to get his name back on the scoresheet with a goal.
MacNiallais finished off a move that saw Nathan Mullins make good inroads from the right before feeding Caolan McGonagle, who cut across goal and set up MacNiallais to put Donegal 1-1 to 0-1 in front.
In a very open start, Donegal were 1-3 to 0-5 in front by the 15th minute. Patrick McBreaty posted a fine point from play and a free, while Darach O’Connor was also on the mark.
Monaghan’s first quarter-hour total came from Jack McCarron, James Wilson, Conor McCarthy and James Mealiff.
Rory Beggan, the Monaghan goalkeeper, missed out through ‘flu and his replacement Shane Garland had bother getting a couple of kick-outs away. Patton had a couple of similar instances.
Mark McHugh’s point in the 16th minute was almost instantly cancelled out by a free by McCarron and McCarthy levelled for Monaghan, 0-7 to Donegal’s 1-4.
It was frantic. Monaghan, aided by a breeze rolling away from the rustic town, were indebted to McCarron for edging them in front, 0-9 to 1-5 with four first half points.However, a goal on 28 minutes – palmed into the net in trademarked style by Ryan McHugh after good work from Paul Brennan and Jamie Brennan – helped Donegal into a 2-9 to 0-10 half-time lead.
Fifteen seconds into the second half, Monaghan were handed a lifeline when Patton was adjudged to have fouled McCarron following a booming ball into the square from Kieran Duffy.
However, McCarron’s penalty was high and wide to the kicker’s left as he opened up his body in a bid to place the ball into the top corner.
O’Connor popped over his second of the day at the other end before Mealiff did the same for Monaghan. On 40 minutes, Donegal were 2-10 to 0-11 in front.
That advantage was to grow further when McBrearty’s 45th minute shot from close range – following an excellent ball in from MacNiallais – was too hot to handle for Garland in the Monaghan goal. Goal number three made it 3-12 to 0-12. Patton in the Donegal goal then made a good save down low from Kieran Hughes.
Donegal were flying and a fourth goal came from Jamie Brennan on 51 minutes. The Bundoran forward scored his second goal in as many outings with an unerring finish into the top corner following an explosive breakaway.
MacNiallais picked up possession and set McBrearty away. With options left and right McBrearty held onto possession and slipped in the newly-introduced Martin O’Reilly in space. O’Reilly laid off to Brennan to shoot into the top corner.
Points followed at both ends but at that stage Donegal had already set their victory in stone.
Patton, in injury time, conceded a second penalty when he fouled Conor McCarthy but Bannigan saw the Donegal debutant save the spot kick.
Monaghan: Shane Garland; Damien McArdle, Pauric McGuirk, Barry Kerr; James Mealiff (0-2), Fintan Kelly, Frank Connolly; Darren Hughes, Kieran Duffy; Darren Freeman, Conor McCarthy (0-2), Dessie Ward; Michéal Bannigan (0-4, 3f), Jack McCarron (0-8, 4f), James Wilson (0-1). Subs: Neil McAdam (0-1) and John McCarron for McArdle and K Duffy (57), Karl O’Connell and Owen Duffy (0-1) for Mealiff and Freeman (56), Thomas Kerr for Wilson (65), Stephen Finnegan for Connolly (69)
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Paul Brennan, Stephen McMenamin, Caolan Ward; Tony McCleneghan, Leo McLoone, Ryan McHugh (1-1); Nathan Mullins, Hugh McFadden; Caolan McGonigle, Odhrán MacNiallais (1-1, 1f), Mark McHugh (0-1); Jamie Brennan (1-3, 1f), Patrick McBrearty (1-8, 6f), Darach O’Connor (0-3). Subs: Jason McGee for McFadden (half-time), Martin O’Reilly for M McHugh (50), Brendan McCole and Ciaran McGinley for Mullins and R McHugh (53), Stephen McBrearty for P McBrearty (56), Eamonn Doherty for McCleneghan (64).
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
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