Inishowen ran out 3-0 winners against Donegal in the FAI Youth Inter-League Cup at Maginn Park on Saturday afternoon.
Inishowen 3 Donegal 0
Three second-half goals from Nathan Harkin, Conor Gillen and Aaron McDaid secured the impressive victory in bitter conditions in Buncrana.
It was an improved and imposing second-half display from Inishowen who failed to turn up in the first half against a high-pressing Donegal outfit.
Donegal’s efforts settled before the interval as they failed to capitalise against Paul Doherty’s slow-starting outfit.
In the opening 20 minutes, both sides tried to find their feet but Donegal just had the edge as their high-intensity forced Inishowen’s defence to be attentive.
Donegal’s Peter McMullan did superbly to beat Gavin McGee after six minutes to gain access to the penalty area, but his efforts were in vain as the ball went for ineffective corner-kick.
Midway through the first-half Carlos O’Reilly had a thumping effort from distance but it also went for an inept set-piece.
Against the run of play, Inishowen should have taken the lead after half an hour when Adrian Donaghey-Doherty’s cross from a wide position was placed perfectly for Mark McFadden, but the attacking midfielder failed to capitalise sending the effort well wide.
Five minutes before half-time Killian O’Rourke was through on goal for Doherty’s side following nice integrate play from McFadden and McDaid, but the midfielder couldn’t hold his nerve, sending it for a goal-kick.
In the second half, Inishowen took real charge and they started with real intent after 54 minutes when Harkin’s long-range shot sailed over the head of Oisin Cannon to give Inishowen a 1-0 lead.
It was a sucker-punch for Donegal who looked tired and it showed when Inishowen doubled their lead with a shrewd move from an early taken set-piece.
McFadden was released quickly and before Donegal could set themselves for an attack, Conor Gillen had put it beyond Cannon in the Donegal goal.
It was excellent work from the substitute, but Gillen should have had his second and third of the match in a quick two-minute spell.
Donegal were all over the place at the back and it almost proved dividends for Gillen, who had two clear-cut chances in front of goal, but he failed to take advantage of the situations.
Ten minutes before the end, Donegal had their best chance of the second half when their man of the match, Carlos O’Reilly produced an excellent ball across the face of the goal, but Eoin Logue couldn’t connect despite making strides.
The game came to an end when Donegal’s centre-back, Kyle McMullan dwelled too long on the ball and Inishowen’s O’Rourke didn’t waste any time intercepting.
Striking towards goal, Cannon parried away from goal but the Donegal couldn’t stop O’Rourke providing McDaid with an accurate delivery from the rebound and the striker made it 3-0.
It was an excellent second-half performance from Inishowen, who were clinical against a clumsy Donegal defence when it mattered.
Inishowen: Cathal McNutt, David Henry, Liam Grant, Adam McCarron, Killian O’Rourke, Ryan McColgan (Shane Doherty 86′), Adrian Donaghey-Doherty, Nathan Harkin (Keith Ellliot), Paddy Curran (Conor Gillen 62′), Aaron McDaid (Gavin Rowan 85′), Mark McFadden (Shane McMonagle 78′).
Subs: Ben Millar.
Donegal: Oisin Cannon, Oran Winston, Gavin McGee, Matthew McLaughlin, Kyle McMullan, Peter Carr, Eoin Logue, Carlos O’Reilly, Dylan Duggan, Jonathan Coney, Jason McDaid.
Subs: Dylan O’Brien, Cian Harkin.
Referee: Eamon Doherty
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