By Charlie Collins
Derry 0-12 vs Donegal 0-06
An excellent second-half performance gave Derry a six point victory over Donegal.
Following a busy month of matches in the Dr.McKenna Cup is was no surprise that a big crowd turned out for this final clash between Derry and Donegal.
These two counties showed the greatest interest in the competition from the outset, winning both their Group games and then their semi-finals , both of those away from home, while fielding strong squads in all their games.
Another couple of factors made this an interesting fixture with Mickey Harte back on home territory but now in charge of Derry, Jim McGuinness back in the Donegal manager’s position and of course these teams due to meet in an Ulster Championship Quarter-Final in April at Celtic Park.
Unfortunately a strong wind blowing from the town end of Healy Park and some heavy showers made things very difficult for the players, but to their credit both teams gave it their all. Derry had the advantage of the elements in the opening half but it was eight minutes before we had the game’s first score, a super long free by goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany, his first ever score for the Donegal senior team.
Derry were level four minutes later with Shane McGuigan’s free and they took the lead in the 19th minute with a Declan Cassidy point and then another McGuigan free made it 0-03 to 0-01 after 21 minutes.
Donegal, who’s work rate off the ball was incredible, responded with a super point from Ryan McHugh to leave just one in it again but another McGuigan from near the sideline made it 0-04 to 0-02.
Shane McGuigan kicked his fourth free to make it a three point game for the first time as half-time approached and with the last kick of the half Patrick McBrearty converted a close-in free after the Referee had spotted come holding off the ball to leave it 0-05 to 0-03 at the break and perhaps Donegal the happier team given the elements.
A Paul Cassidy from play, another Shane McGuigan free and sub Niall Toner from play put Derry five ahead as they started the second-half much better than they had the first and leaving Donegal with plenty to do to get back in the game at 0-03 to 0-08 down.
Donegal finally got the scoreboard going with a point from just on the field sub Daire O Boaill. Tempers became frayed resulting in both Brendan Rogers and Patrick McBrearty receiving red cards and after things settled Gavin Mulreany pointed his second free to leave three points in it, 0-08 to 0-05.
Derry responded again with points from Conor Doherty and McGuigan’s sixth free and Derry were five ahead. Donegal then lost Oisín Gallan to a second yellow card as the game fizzled out. Niall Loughlin and Ciaran Thompson exchanged points and DIre O Baoill had his effort for goal well saved by Odhran Lynch and Cormac Murphy added a final point as Derry ran out deserved winners after an excellent second-half performance by double scores, 0-12 to 0-06.
Attention now turns to the National Football League which begins next weekend as Donegal host Cork on Sunday in MacCumhaill Park.
Donegal: Gavin Mulreaney (0-02), Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Kevin McGettigan, Ryan McHugh (0-01), Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan, Oisin Caulfield, Ciaran Thompson (0-01), Odhran Doherty, Shane O Donnell, Ciaran Moore, Patrick McBrearty (0-01), Oisin Gallen, Jamie Brennan. Subs used: Daire O Baoill (0-01), Ronan Frain, Luke McGlynn, Jeaic Mac Ceallbhui, Stephen McMenamin.
Derry: Odhran Lynch, Diarmuid Baker, Eoin McEvoy, Christopher McKeigue, Conor McCloskey, Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan, Conor Doherty (0-01), Brendan Rogers, Donnacha Gilmore, Declan Cassidy (0-01), Paul Cassidy (0-01), Niall Loughlin (0-01), Shane McGuigan (0-06f’s), Cormac Murphy (0-01). Subs used: Niall Toner (0-01).
Referee: Conor Curran (Down).