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Derry's second-half goal salvo turns Donegal over

Updated / Sunday, 4 Jun 2023 21:11

Derry struck for three second half goals to get the better of Donegal in the heat in MacCumhaill Park, Ballybofey.

Donegal, although defeated, will take heart from the performance with Oisin Gallen contributing nine points, three from play, three marks and three frees, in a fine performance.

There was also a welcome return to the field of play for Donegal captain, Patrick McBrearty, which will be encouraging for them going forward.

But it was Derry's superior pace which won the day with goals from Conor Doherty from wing back, Lachlan Murray and Padraig McGrogan.

As expected both sides operated with all players behind the ball and there were long passages of possession. Derry settled quickest with Paul Cassidy pointing while Ciaran Thompson was wide from a 45m free.

Benny Heron brought a great save from Shaun Patton and a minute later he popped over Derry’s second point.

Donegal had four wides on the board before Conor O’Donnell got them up and running. Oisin Gallen drew the sides level after winning a free.

Shaun Patton made a wonder one-handed save to deny Paul Cassidy but there was some reward as Shane McGuigan pointed the free as the referee was playing an advantage.

Oisin Gallen's performance was one of the bright spots for Donegal in defeat

Ciaran Thompson levelled for Donegal and they stood strong in defence as Derry threatened a goal.

Ciaran McFaul and Oisin Gallen, after a long-kick out from Shaun Patton, traded scores to leave the sides level at 0-04 each after 24 minutes.

Ciaran McFaul added another but Donegal created a great goal chance when another long kick-out from Patton found Dáire Ó Baoill. The ball broke to Jason McGee but he was denied twice by Odhran Lynch at the expense of a '45’.

Derry had their best period of the half from the 22nd to 32nd minute with three points from McGuigan, Niall Toner (free) and Brendan Rogers to open the gap to four.

Oisin Gallen kept Donegal in the game with a mark and a free but with the last kick of he first half Shane McGuigan left three between them at the break: Derry 0-09, Donegal 0-06.

Brendan Rogers and Conor Glass combined for the opening score of the second half for Derry but Donegal responded with points from a Shaun Patton ‘45’ and a good finish from Conor O’Donnell.

Paul Cassidy and Ciaran Thompson traded scores before Derry took a grip when Conor Doherty burst through to fire to the roof of the Donegal net on 46 minutes.

Both sides added points with Brendan Rogers and Paul Cassidy for Derry and Oisin Gallen keeping Donegal in touch. Derry also had a couple of botched goal chances.

But the second goal arrived on 56 minutes when Gareth McKinley had a clean pass to goal and set up Lachlan Murray to score with his first touch.

Patrick McBrearty also scores with his first touch, a 30m free while Oisin Gallen added his ninth point of the game.

But any hope Donegal had of bridging the gap was snuffed out with four minutes left when from a turnover Padraig McGrogan fired home a third goal.

Donegal did get a consolation goal on 74 minutes with Rory O’Donnell finishing well.

Donegal: Shaun Patton (0-01,’45’); Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Caolan McColgan; Caolan Ward, Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Odhrán Doherty; Caolan McGonagle, Jason McGee; Dáire Ó Baoill, Jamie Brennan, Ciaran Thompson (0-02,0-01f); Hugh McFadden, Oisin Gallen (0-09, 0-03f, 0-03fm), Conor O’Donnell (0-02).

Subs: Luke McGlynn for Brennan (52); Patrick McBrearty (0-01) for Ó Baoill (55); Rory O’Donnell (1-00) for McGee (58); Stephen McMenamin for O Doherty (61); Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí for C Ward (68).

Derry: Odhran Lynch; Christopher McKaigue, Eoin McEvoy, Conor McCluskey; Conor Doherty (1-00), Gareth McKinless, Padraig Grogan (1-00); Conor Glass (0-01), Brendan Rogers (0-02); Niall Toner (0-01,f), Paul Cassidy (0-04), Ethan Doherty; Ciaran McFaul (0-02), Shane McGuigan (0-03, 0-01f), Benny Heron (0-01).

Subs: Niall Loughlin for Toner (30); Padraig Cassidy for Heron (52); Lachlan Murray (1-00) for McFaul (55); Declan Cassidy for E McEvoy (65); Shea Downey for McKaigue (70).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)

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