Donegal 2-23 v 0-28 Armagh (AET)
Once again it took extra-time to separate Donegal and Armagh but Jim McGuinness’s chargers retained their Anglo Celt Cup thanks to a late winner from Niall O’Donnell.
Donegal held the lead for all of normal time and it looked as if they had done enough only for Armagh to force extra-time.
Armagh went ahead three times in extra-time but Donegal were not to be denied. A Ciaran Moore in the second period looked to have it won but Armagh came back again to level but then Niall O’Donnell stepped up to win it for Donegal.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness during Saturday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
In a whirlwind first half, Armagh hit the Donegal posts twice while Donegal were wide and short in the opening minutes. Eventually Michael Langan made the break only to be fouled and Patrick McBrearty opened the scoring.
Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty lines up a free during Saturday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Ethan Rafferty levelled from a ’45’ and Langan and Andrew Murnin traded scores. A Ciaran Thompson two pointer got the first big shout. Ben Crealey replied but Donegal began to get a foothold. Dáire Ó Baoill pointed before Michael Murphy made a great catch. He was fouled and McBrearty pushed Donegal three clear.
Oisin Conaty hit back with two quick points on 21 minutes but Donegal hit a purple patch with three Oisin Gallen points and another from Michael Murphy to go 0-10 to 0-5 ahead.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen tries to shake off the attentions of Armagh’s Barry McCambridge during Saturday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Ross McQuillan pointed for Armagh but another two pointer from Ciaran Thompson and one from Michael Langan had Donegal seven clear.
Ross McQuillan hit his second of the game but Oisin Gallen replied with his fourth on 32 minutes. Shaun Patton’s kick-out strategy went astray for a short period and Armagh made hay with Oisin Conaty punishing and then Oisin O’Neill with a two pointer and another that was set to be a two pointer but Patton got a hand to it as it went over the crossbar.
Half-time: Donegal 0-14, Armagh 0-11.
Michael Murphy had the opening point of the second half but Oisin Conaty and Callum O’Neill replied. Peter Mogan pointed but Oisin O’Neill and Ross McQuillan cut the lead to one.
Donegal’s Dáire Ó Baoill on a strong run during Saturday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Then Donegal got the opening goal of the contest. The ball was initially blocked but fell to Hugh McFadden to first time to the net. Conor O’Donnell and Ciaran Moore pushed the lead out to seven but again Armagh responded. They had two goal chances but points from the impressive Conaty, Stefan Campbell and Oisin O’Neill with a two pointer and another cut the lead to just two.
The Donegal scoring was drying up and they had a few wides. Jason McGee put three between but Armagh kept coming with Stefan Campbell and Jason Duffy fisting another to cut the lead again to the minimum with five minutes left.
Donegal looked to have the game in the bag as they held possession with time running out but then a pass was intercepted and Armagh went forward for Conaty to send the contest to extra-time.
Donegal’s Ryan McHugh looks for options during Saturday’s final. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal had three wides in the first period of extra-time as Armagh went into the lead for the very first time through Jarly Og Burns. Patrick McBrearty replied from a free. Jason Duffy edged Armagh in front again but Niall O’Donnell left it all square at half-time in extra-time.
Stefan Campbell put Armagh ahead again in the second period but Michael Langan created an opening for Ciaran Moore to find the Armagh net. It looked as if it would be enough but Ethan Rafferty landed a two point free to level matters.
Then up stepped Niall O’Donnell, who had a major impact off the bench, to win it for Donegal.
Donegal scorers: Oisin Gallen 0-4; Ciaran Thompson 0-4,2tp; Hugh McFadden 1-0; Patrick McBrearty 0-3,3f; Michael Langan 0-2; Michael Murphy 0-3; Dáire Ó Baoill, Peadar Mogan, Ciaran Moore, Conor O’Donnell, Jason McGee, Niall O’Donnell 0-1 each
Armagh scorers: Oisin Conaty 0-6; Oisin O’Neill 0-5,1tp; Ross McQuillan 0-3; Ethan Rafferty 0-1,45; Stefan Campbell 0-2; Ben Crealey 0-1; Andrew Murnin 0-1; Jason Duffy 0-2; Callum O’Neill 0-1; Jarly Og Burns 0-1
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Finnbarr Roarty, Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan; Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Ciaran Moore; Hugh McFadden, Michael Langan; Dáire Ó Baoill, Ciaran Thompson, Shane O’Donnell; Patrick McBrearty, Michael Murphy, Oisin Gallen.
Subs: Conor O’Donnell for McBrearty (43); Jason McGee for McFadden (49); Jamie Brennan for O Baoill (52); Eoin McHugh for Moore (54); Aaron Doherty for Gallen (64)
Extra-time: Odhran McFadden Ferry and Niall O’Donnell for A Doherty and J Brennan; Patrick McBrearty for Murphy (6); Dáire Ó Baoill for R McHugh (8); Stephen McMenamin for McCole (14)
Armagh: Ethan Rafferty; Paddy Burns, Barry McCambridge, Aidan Forker; Ross McQuillan, Greg McCabe, Jarly Óg Burns; Callum O’Neill, Ben Crealey; Darragh McMullen, Rory Grugan, Oisin Conaty; Tiernan Kelly, Andrew Murnin, Oisin O’Neill.
Subs: Conor Turbitt for Kelly (41); Stefan Campbell for C O’Neill (49); Peter McGrane for McCabe (52); Jason Duffy for O O’Neill (60); Niall Grimley for Forker (60);
Extra-time: Connaire Mackin : Cian McConville for Conaty (9)
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)
