Dún na nGall: 0-6 (6) Doire: 3-12 (21)
At MacCumhaill Park
Both Derry and Donegal had won their openings two games in Group A and are already sure of a place in the quarter-finals, so this game in MacCumhaill Park and their final ones next week would decide their finishing position in the Group and last eight opponents.
They had met in the Jim McGuigan Cup Final a month ago with Donegal winning by three points in a very well contested game by 1-09 to 0-09.
Derry got off to a flying start with three quick points from Conall Higgins, Ger Dillon and Oisín Doherty and it could have been worse for Donegal in the eighth minute when Cahir Speirs long range effort came back off the post into the hands of John Boyle who looks certain to score a goal but was denied by a brillant one-handed save by Padraig McBride from point-blank range.
Donegal replied with their first score, a free from Shane Callaghan in the tenth minute and we didn’t have another score for nine minutes, another Callaghan point, a good one from play, 0-02 to 0-03 to Derry.
Ger Dillon added his second point for Derry, Dylan Mulholland pointed a free but Conall Higgins added his second point to give the visitors a two point advantage 0-03 to 0-05.
From there until half-time Derry took command and added 2-01 without reply, goals from half-backs Cahir Speirs and James Sargent and a point from John Boyle’s free to lead by 2-06 to 0-03 and in control. Shane Callaghan and John Boyle exchanged early second-half points but Derry continued to dominate as Donegal’s ball retention let them down too often.
Midway through the half those were the only scores we had and the game looked like it would fizzle out before Derry again raised their game with a couple of fine points from Eamonn Young and Conor Spiers and there was a long scoreless spell before Luke Clerkin added another Donegal score. The excellent Cahir Spiers added another point nd then with Donegal caught forward Johnny McGuckin was able to slot home Derry’s third goal. Ger Dillon and Shane Callaghan exchanged points to round off the scoring at 3-12 to 0-06 for the visitors.
Donegal : Cian McConnell, Donal Gallagher, Jordi Gribben, Callum McCrea, Finbarr Roarty, Darragh Bennigan, Luke Clerkin (0-01), Oisin Scanlan, Lorcan McGee, Jack Hegarty, Shane Callaghan ( 0-04), John James Sweeney, Dylan Mulholland ( 0-01), Conor McCahill, Gavin Doherty.
Subs used ; Eoghan Scott, Eoin Gallagher, Jack Gallagher, Donnacha Boyle, Ronan Maher,
Derry ; Jack McCloy, Rory Small, Finbar Murray, FionnMcEldowney, Cahir Speirs ( 1-02),, James Sargent ( 1-01), Odhran Mac Campbell, Cahal McKeague, Tommy Rogers, Eamon Young (0-01), Conall Higgins ( 0-02),Johnny McGuckin (1-00), Ger Dillon (0-03), John Boyle (0-02),, Oisín Doherty ( 0-01).
Subs used ; Gabhan McIvor, Luke Grant, Darach McGonigle, Dara McGuckin, Deaglan McNamee.
Referee ; Barry McMenamin ( Cavan ).
