Donegal 0-15 v 0-14 Armagh
By Charlie Collins
Armagh came from four points down to lead by one but Donegal raised their game again to take the lead and when Armagh drew level yet again Aaron Doherty kicked the winning point in injury-time to round off an excellent National League campaign.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness during Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
With the Ulster Championship due to get underway next this Division Two National League Final at Croke Park gave both these teams the opportunity to play on a big stage without too much pressure. With promotion back to Division One already secured it was a chance to test themselves against good opposition.
Donegal were without a number of players who had featured regularly in the league campaign so there was starts for others including Caolan McColgan, Kevin McGettigan, Jason McGee, Luke McGlynn, and Niall O Donnell.
Donegal’s Jason McGee sets up a first half attack during Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Jason McGee won the throw-in and found Oisín Gallen who called the mark and pointed from 20 metres. Two minutes later Ciaran Thompson’s effort for a point dropped shot, Niall O Donnell grabbed it and laid it off to Kevin McGettigan whose shot for goal was saved by Blaine Hughes, big goal chance for Donegal.
Armagh got level with a Jarlath Og Burns point and after a Brillant goal saving block by Caolan McGonagle, Burns pointed again in the 7th minute. Donegal were soon back on level with a fine point from Niall O Donnell, 0-02 apiece.
Donegal’s Niall O’Donnell looks for a way past Armagh’s Joe McElroy during Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Ciaran Thompson put Donegal ahead again but two close-in frees from Conor Turbitt restored Armagh’s lead. Back came Donegal with another fine Ciaran Thompson score to make it 0-04 apiece and when Rory Grugan from play and Oisín Gallen from a free exchanged points it was 0-05 points each after 26 minutes.
As play swung from end to end Grugan added his second point followed at the other end by Ciaran Thompson’s third, this time from a free, now 0-06 each. Oisín Conaty put Armagh ahead again with a super score but before half-time Peadar Mogan and the excellent Ciaran Thompson with his fourth point gave Donegal a one point lead of 0-08 to 0-07 at the break. An interesting first-half and all to play for in the second period.
Donegal’s Mark Curran during Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Niall O Donnell and Conor Turbitt exchanged early points in the second-half and then an fine effort by Oisín Gallen followed by a well worked Shane O Donnell point put Donegal three in front for the first time in the game, 0-11 to 0-08. O Donnell then quickly added his third point of the game and suddenly the lead was out to four and Donegal looking good.
They had a bit of good luck when the woodwork denied Armagh on a couple of occasions and the introduction of both Stefan Campbell and Rian O Neill showed they felt they needed a boost. And they got one with with five points in a row to take the lead, two from Grugan, one each from Turbitt, Campbell and Oisín O neill to lead by 0-13 to 0-12.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen breaks for goal during Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Back came Donegal with two super points from Caolan McGonagle and Oisín Gallen and they led again. But not for long as Oisín Conaty kicked an Armagh equalizer, 0-14 apiece as we entered injury time.
It was Donegal who grabbed the winner in this cracker as Aaron Doherty kicked a super score and although he missed another chance it mattered not as Donegal won the Division Two National League title by 0-15 to 0-14.
Donegal’s Aaron Doherty fires over the winning score during Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal’s Mark Curran celebrates with Patrick McBrearty after Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal celebrate after Sunday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Mark Curran, Ciaran Moore, Caolan McColgan, Kevin Mc Gettigan, Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Shane O Donnell (0-01), Jason McGee, Michael Langan, Peadar Mogan (0-01), Ciaran Thompson (0-04 ), Luke McGlynn, Aaron Doherty (0-01), Oisin Gallen (0-04), Niall O Donnell (0-03). Subs: Jamie Brennan and Odhran Doherty for McGlynn and McGettigan (h/t), Hugh McFadden for McGee (40 mins), Jeaic McKelvey, Charles McGuinness for Niall O Donnell and Mogan (60mins).
Armagh: Blaine Hughes, Paddy Burns, Aaron McKay, Peter McGrane, Greg McCabe, Aidan Forker, Darren McMullan, Ciaran Mackin, Ben Crealey, Jarlath Og Burns (0-02), Rory Grugan (0-03), Joe McElroy, Conor Turbitt (0-04), Andrew Murnin, Oisin Conaty (0-02). Subs: Stefan Campbell 0-01 for Forker (40mins), Rian O Neill (0-01) for McElroy (48mins), Oisín O Neill (0-01).
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down).
