By Charlie Collins
Donegal 4-14 v 0-11 Monaghan
Donegal Manager Jim McGuinness went with youth in his starting line-up for this Dr.McKenna Cup semi-final clash with Monaghan in Castleblaney.
Oisin Caulfield and Ciaran Moore were named at midfield, Donal Mac Giolla Bhride was a late replacement for Brendan McCole, and Naomh Conaill pair Jeaic MacCeallabhi and Odhran Doherty both started again. Likewise Monaghan were missing a lot of familiar names from recent times as they also included a number of young players in their starting line-up.
A place in the final against Derry next weekend was the prize on offer after Mickey Harte’s team beat Armagh on Saturday evening.
Donegal got a great start with a goal from Oisin Gallen who shot home from distance after a Monaghan attack broke down and Odhran Doherty found him with a super pass. Jimmy Brennan and Gallen added quick points and Ciaran Thompson had another goal chance well saved by Darren McDonnell.
Monaghan responded and Shaun Patton had to make a brilliant save to deny David Garland’s goalbound shot, 1-02 to 0-00 for Donegal. Jimmy Brennan had a goal ruled out for a square ball, then Barry McBennett got Monaghan’s first score with a point but within a few minutes Jamie Brennan had kicked two points and Odhran Doherty had blasted a goal high into the net and Donegal led by 2-04 to 0-01 and in total control. Shane O Donnell and Stephen Mooney exchanged points and after twenty five minutes Donegal led by nine, 2-05 to 0-02.
Oisin Caulfield added a Donegal point after great work by Ciaran Moore and then Oisin Gallen blasted a penalty to the net after Ciaran Thompson’s goalbound shot had been touched on the ground by Ryan O Toole.
Stephen Mooney got Monaghan’s third point but Oisin Gallen kicked three excellent points in a row and at half-time Donegal led by 3-09 to 0-03 and a place in the final looked assured.
Stephen Mooney kicked three early frees and Gary Mohan a super point from play as Monaghan started the second-half well but Donegal responded with points from Patrick McBrearty, Ryan McHugh, Luke McGlynn and then a goal from sub Ronan Frian, 4-12 to 0-07.
Mooney kicked three frees and Ciaran McNulty one from play to get Monaghan to double figures, but it was all over long before that and Karl Joseph Molloy added two points from frees as Donegal won by 4-14 to 0-11 points to set up a final meeting with Derry.
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Mark Curran, Donal Mac Giolla Bhride, Stephen McMenamin, Ryan McHugh (0-01), Caolan McGonagle, Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui, Oisin Caulfield (0-01), Ciaran Moore, Odhran Doherty (1-0), Ciaran Thompson, Shane O Donnell (0-01), Patrick McBrearty (0-01), Oisin Gallen (2-04), Jamie Brennan (0-03). Subs used: Luke McGlynn (0-01), Peadar Mogan, Ronan Frian (1-00), Rory O Donnell, Karl Joseph Molloy (0-02), Aaron Doherty, Daithi Roberts.
Monaghan: Darren McDonnell, Ryan O Toole, Killian Lavelle, Kevin Loughran, Kevin Shierdan, Colm Lennon, Conor McCarthy, Michael McCarville, Gary Mohan (0-01), Barry McBennett (0-01), Stephen O Hanlon, Joel Wilson, David Garland, Sean Jones, Jason Irwin. Subs used: Stephen Mooney (0-08), Darragh McElearney, Andrew Woods, Thomas McPhillips, Darragh Treanor, Michael Treanor, Bobby Walker, Ciaran McNulty (0-01), Francis Hughes.
Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone).
