Patrick McBrearty scored 7 points as Donegal topped their McKenna Cup group with a 0-15 to 1-09 win over Antrim in Portglenone.
Donegal 0-15 Antrim 1-09
Antrim had the majority of the possession in the first half but didn’t make it count as they went into the break 0-05 to 0-02 down.
Donegal took their chances but couldn’t get comfortable as Antrim kept getting back into the game until two late points from Jamie Brennan and McBrearty sealed the win for Donegal who will face Derry on Tuesday 18th January in MacCumhaill Park at 7.45pm.
Tomas McCann scored the opening point as Antrim got an early score after winning the throw-in.
McBrearty from the edge of the D got Donegal level instantly.
Caolan McGonagle got Declan Bonner’s side ahead after 8 minutes.
McBrearty gets his second point of the game as Peader Mogan gave Donegal a three point lead just before the water break.
Antrim had plenty of possession but couldn’t make the most of it.
Caolan Ward continued Donegal’s scoring dominance but Gribbon got Antrims second point, 27 minutes after their first score as it was 0-05 to 0-02 at half-time.
Half-time substitute Conor Murray’s kick dropped short and Shaun Patton caught the ball but the umpire waved the green flag as Patton was deemed to be over the line.
Charlie McGuinness scored his first point of the game as Donegal took the lead again and Conor O’Donnell added to their advantage.
Both teams traded points from frees as Tomas McCann and Patrick McBrearty took their chances. Odhran Eastwood then scored from a free as Antrim kept the deficit to a point.
Ciaran Thompson had a big goal chance but hit it wide of the goal and Donegal had another goal chance but McBrearty took his 4th point of the game.
A great point from Kevin Small kept Antrim well in it as the water break was called with the score at 0-09 to 1-05.
Dermot McAleese got Antrim level as Michael Murphy made his first appearance of the year and Donegal quickly got back in front through McBrearty before he played Jeaic MacCeallabhui in who fisted over.
Michael Langan kicked over to give Donegal a 3 point advantage.
Ryan Murray got his first point before a classy 6th score from McBrearty just inside the 45.
Eastwood got his second point from a free and Seamus McGarry scored from play 3 minutes into added time.
Jamie Brennan’s point from play before McBrearty got his 7th point from a free as the referee blew for full-time.
Donegal: Shaun Patton; Caolan Ward (0-01), Brendan McCole, Odhran Doherty, Tony McClenaghan, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Ethan O’Donnell; Caolan McGonagle(0-01), Jason McGee; Peader Mogan(0-01), Ciaran Thompson, Shane O’Donnell, Patrick McBrearty (0-07,2f), Charlie McGuinness (0-01), Conor O’Donnell (0-01).
Subs: Paul Brennan for Brendan McCole (half-time) Jamie Brennan (0-01) for Shane O’Donnell (44 mins) Michael Langan (0-01) for Jason McGee (45 mins) Jeaic MacCeallabhui (0-01) and Odhran McFadden Ferry for Ethan O’Donnell and Eoghan Ban Gallagher (45 mins), Michael Murphy and Aaron Doherty for Conor O’Donnell and Charlie McGuinness(55 mins).
Antrim: Michael Byrne; Patrick McCormack, Ricky Johnston, James McAuley, Peter Healy, Eoghan McCabe, Dermot McAleese (0-01), Kevin Small (0-01), Michael McCann, Ruairi McCann, Pat Shivers, Patrick McBride, Ryan Murray (0-01), Tomas McCann(0-02,1f) , Jamie Gribbon (0-01)
Subs: James Laverty for Ricky Johnston (33 mins) Conor Murray (1-00), Seamus McGarry (0-01) & Dominic McEnhill for Pat Shivers, Michael McCarron & Jamie Gribbon (half-time), Odhran Eastwood (0-02,2f).
Referee: Niall McKenna (Monaghan)
