Donegal 1-19 v Down 0-16
Defending Ulster SFC champions Donegal are returning to the provincial final after seeing off Down in Clones.
Patrick McBrearty’s goal in the first half propelled Jim McGuinness’s men to a six-point win in front of 9,221 at St Tiernach’s Park.
Donegal teed up a repeat of last year’s epic final with Armagh. They weren’t at their deadly best, but managed to get a fairly fuss-free passage to the final.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
The game was preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of Rosaleen Mogan – the grandmother of Donegal player Peadar Mogan – and Pope Francis.
Much of McGuinness’s meticulous preparation with Donegal is undertaken in conclave. McGuinness’s doctrine might’ve changed since his last term as manager, but those who worship still believe intently.
This will be Donegal’s sixth appearance in an Ulster final under McGuinness’s watch and their 12th over the last 15 years.
McBrearty’s goal helped Donegal to lead 1-12 to 0-7 at the short whistle and while Down did make some inroads the Tir Chonaill men didn’t look in danger of being toppled.
Donegal’s Michael Langan during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
McBrearty hit the opening goal of the game in the 20th minute. Michael Langan’s lofted pass across goal was steered past the valiant efforts of ‘keeper Ronan Burns by the Donegal captain.
All of a sudden, Donegal were ahead by double scores, 1-5 to 0-4.
Just moments earlier, Down passed up a decent goal chance. John McGeough was caught in two minds and, when electing to fist towards the well-placed Patrick McCarthy, his pass had too much purchase.
Down, inspired by goals from Daniel Guinness and Ryan McEvoy, came back from seven points behind to beat Fermanagh 0-23 to 2-19 at Brewster Park last weekend.
The Mourne men will have been content with their lot until that moment McBrearty struck gold.
Donegal’s Ryan McHugh and Michael Langan win the breaking ball during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
The in-form Daire Ó Baoill curled over a delightful two-pointer after Ryan McHugh sailed a sweetly-struck attempt between the black spot to open up a six-point margin.
Donegal reeled off four-in-a-row through a Michael Murphy brace – one of which came from a ’45 – McBrearty and Jamie Brennan.
A third point of the afternoon by Pat Havern narrowed the deficit a little, but Donegal headed for the refreshments holding a handsome eight-point lead.
Donegal’s Finnbarr Roarty breaks through on goal during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
With only 14 seconds played in the second half, Conor O’Donnell – sporting a bandaged head having needed treatment late in the first half – whizzed over the crossbar after McHugh and Oisin Gallen created the opening.
With the rain bucketing down, Donegal found themselves pegged back when Havern arched over a two-point free and Eugene Branagan tacked on a point.
Down, who were relegated from Division 2 in the League this year, couldn’t quite get close enough to rock the defending champions and Ciaran Moore became the eighth Donegal player on the scoreboard in the 43rd minute, restoring the eight-point lead.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen bears down on the Down goal during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
A McBrearty free stretched the advantage to nine, 1-16 to 0-10, and while Down managed to keep the scoreboard turning the fatal wounds had already been inflicted.
Burns saved well from Ó Baoill 15 minutes from the end after Moore ate up acres of the Clones sod to lay on the opportunity.
Donegal were able to withdraw Murphy and McBrearty during the second half, but Michael Langan converted a free from outside the arch to end a 15-minute spell without a score for his side.
Donegal’s Ciarán Thompson on a strong run during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan
Shay Miller could have made a grandstand finish of it when he intercepted a Shaun Patton kick-out with 10 minutes remaining. Patton, however, recovered to save from Miller while Branagan blasted wide when he ran onto a Conor McCrickard pass moments later.
A goal then and Down would have found themselves breathing down Donegal’s neck.
At the other end, when Burns turned around from Aaron Doherty, Patton stepped up to nail the ’45 and confirm Donegal’s place in the final.
Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 1-4 (1 2ptf, 2f), Daire Ó Baoill (1 2pt), Michael Murphy (1 ’45) 0-3 each, Conor O’Donnell, Michael Langan (2ptf) 0-2 each, Shaun Patton (’45), Jamie Brennan, Ryan McHugh, Oisin Gallen, Ciaran Moore 0-1 each.
Scorers for Down: Pat Havern 0-8 (1 2pt, 1 2ptf, 2f), Eugene Branagan 0-3, Danny Magill 0-2, Miceal Rooney, Ryan McEvoy, Daniel Guinness 0-1 each
DONEGAL: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Stephen McMenamin, Ciaran Moore; Ciaran Thompson, Michael Langan; Daire Ó Baoill, Conor O’Donnell, Shane O’Donnell; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen. Subs: Jamie Brennan for Murphy (45), Jason McGee for Gallen (49), Odhran McFadden-Ferry for Roarty (52), Niall O’Donnell for McBrearty (55), Aaron Doherty for C.O’Donnell (58).
DOWN: Ronan Burns; Patrick McCarthy, Peter Fegan, Ceilum Doherty; Ryan Magill, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney; Daniel Guinness, Ryan McEvoy; Danny Magill, Odhrán Murdock, Eugene Branagan; James Guinness, Pat Havern, John McGeough. Subs: Caolan Mooney for J.Guinness (43), Shay Miller for R.Magill (50), Finn McElroy for McCarthy (55), Conor McCrickard for McGeough (58), Adam Crimmins for McEvoy (63).
REFEREE: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).
