By Charlie Collins
Donegal 1-17 v 0-14 Louth
Donegal remain unbeaten in their league campaign but were made to work hard to beat a determined and impressive Louth team in Ballyshannon.
The opening ten minutes produced six points, three frees from Patrick McBrearty and one from play by Oisín Gallen, with Sam Mulroy and Ciaran Keenan replying for Louth. McBrearty then scored an excellent point from play, way out on the right side, 0-05 to 0-02 to Donegal who had the stiff breeze at their backs.
Donegal started without regular full-back Brendan McCole, ruled out with a foot injury and missing from the starting line-up for the first time in quite some time, Jeaic MacCellabhui came in to replace him in the number three spot.
After a few misses, Sam Mulroy converted a free to leave just two in it but Shane O Donnell replied immediately to make it 0-06 to 0-03. Mulroy added another free after Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui had received a black card and when Ryan Burns converted there was just a point in it.
Oisin Gallen scored from distance but Louth hit back to get back on level terms with points from Conor Grimes and Burns, 0-07 apiece. Shane O Donnell from play kicked a fine score and Patrick McBrearty’s free left Donegal two ahead at halftime and they would be back to fifteen players for the start of the second-half, but facing the breeze in the second-half.
Caolan McGonagle opened the second-half scoring with a good point, but Mulroy replied almost immediately. Corner back Dónal McKenny came forward to kick a fine point to leave just one in it again and anybody’s game, 0-10 to 0-09. Patrick McBrearty added another free, Conor Early replied, McBrearty added another free, his seventh point, 0-12 to 0-10.
Then a big moment in the game, Daire O Baoill went for a point but his effort dropped short and was collected by substitute Hugh McFadden who’s shot was half block but Jeaic MacCellabhui dived in to fist to the net, 1-12 to 0-10.
McBrearty and Aaron Doherty for Donegal and Grimes and Mulroy for Louth exchanged points. Sub Liam Jackson left four in it but two from Oisin Gallen ,a first from Michael Langan but Donegal in control as they ran out winners by 1-17 to 0-14 points and they remain unbeaten with two games to come against Kildare and Meath.
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Mark Curran, Jeaic MacCellabhui (1-00), Ciaran Moore, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Peadar Mogan, Jamie Brennan, Michael Langan (0-01), Shane O Donnell (0-02), Ciaran Thompson ,Odhran Doherty, Patrick McBrearty (0-08) Oisin Gallen (0-04), Daire O Baoill. Subs: Hugh McFadden and Aaron Doherty (0-01) for Odhran Doherty and Brennan (45mins), Luke McGlynn for O Baoill (61mins), Stephen McMenamin for MacCeallabhui (70mins), Donal McBride for McGonagle (70mins).
Louth: Niall McDonnell, Donal McKenny (0-01), Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch, Leonard Grey, Anthony Williams, Conall McKeever, Conor Early (0-01), Tommy Drumm, Paul Mathews, Ciarán Keenan (0-01), Conor Grimes (0-02), Ryan Burns (0-02), Sam Mulroy (0-07), Tom Jackson. Subs: Liam Jackson (0-01), Kyle McElroy, Sean Marry, Niall Sharkey.
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).
