Donegal 1-23 v 0-18 Louth
By Charlie Collins at Croke Park
The big prize of a semi-final spot in the race for Sam Maguire was on offer for these two teams at Croke Park despite the fact that many people wouldn’t have included either in the conversation of who might be the last eight teams in this year’s quest for All Ireland Senior Championship.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan
Croke Park Communications had issued an email regarding the semi-final line-up and Donegal knew that victory over Louth would lead them to a semi-final clash against Galway in two weeks time. However after reaching the Leinster Championship Final before losing to Dublin, Louth followed that up with an excellent second place finish in their All Ireland series group and followed that up with a hard earned victory over Cork in their Preliminary Quarter-Final last weekend.
After winning the Ulster Championship for the first time in five years and despite losing to Cork in the All Ireland series Donegal topped their Group to earn a week off to prepare for this clash quarter-final. Donegal were many people’s favorites to advance, but taking anything for granted here would be very dangerous. Jason Mc Gee returned to the match-day squad and Conor O Donnell who played a half against Clare started for the first time this year.
Ryan McHugh got Donegal underway with a fine point in thr first minute and Paddy McBrearty made two from a mark in the fifth. Tommy Durnin replied a minute later to get Louth underway but Conor O Donnell finished a good Donegal move to make it 0-03 to 0-01. Oisín Gallen and Peadar Mogan finished off two excellent moves to put Donegal four in front but Sam Mulroy replied immediately for Louth, twelve minutes in Donegal 0-05 to 0-02 ahead.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen breaks for goal during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan
The game was held up for several minutes when two Louth players clashed heads , Conall McKeever and Sam Mulroy , both were OK after treatment. After a quiet time without a score Louth keeper Niall O Donnell denied Peadar Mogan with a fine save and in a quick counter attack Ryan Burns added Louth’s third point. Micheal Langan and Ciaran Moore replied quickly and the lead was four again but not for long as Louth hit three in a row from Conor Early, Sam Mulroy and Craig Lennon to leave just a point, 0-07 to 0-06.
That soon became 0-09 to 0-08 as Moore and Gallen for Donegal and Durnin and Mulroy for Louth exchanged points. Five minutes of injury-time were played during which Mogan and Gallen kicked over two fine points and at half-time Donegal led by 0-11 to 0-08 but very much in a tough battle against an excellent Louth team.
Donegal’s Michael Langan gets his pass away as Louth’s Dan Corcoran closes in during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan
Conor O Donnell after great work by Ryan McHugh and Ryan Burns exchanged early second-half points and a cracker from Micheal Langan made it a four point game and when half-time sub Aaron Doherty scored with his first touch Donegal led by five 0-14 to 0-09.
We then had a period of quick fire points, Conor Early for Louth, Peadar Mogan with the score of the game, Tommy Durnin replied but Donegal hit three in a row, Oisín Gallen, Ciaran Thompson and Micheal Langan and Donegal led by seven, 0-18 to 0-11.
Donegal’s Patrick McBrearty lines up a free during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan
Sam Mulroy replied with two and Tom Jackson another as Louth refused to go away. But then a deciding moment as Donegal scored a goal, Aaron Doherty and Paddy McBrearty involved before Eoghan Ban Gallagher tapped the ball to the net, 1-18 to 0-14 and a semi-final spot secured.
Ryan McHugh, Peadar Mogan with two and Ciaran Thompson and Jimmy Brennan all added points as Donegal ran out winners by 1-23 to 0-18.
Donegal’s Niall O’Donnell on a strong run past Louth’s Leonard Grey during Sunday’s quarter final. Photo Evan Logan
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Eoghan Ban Gallagher (1-00), Brendan McCole, Conor O Donnell (0-02), Ryan McHugh (0-02), Caolan McGonagle, Peader Mogan (0-05), Michael Langan (0-03), Ciaran Moore (0-02), Shane O Donnell, Ciaran Thompson (0-02), Daire O Baoill, Patrick McBrearty (0-01), Oisin Gallen (0-04), Niall O Donnell. Subs: Aaron Doherty 0-01, for Niall O Donnell (h/t), Caolan McColgan for O Baoill (45mins), Jeaic MacCeallbhui for Conor O Donnell (49mins), Jimmy Brennan for McBrearty (59mins), Hugh McFadden for Shane O Donnell (65mins).
Louth: Niall O Donnell, Donal McKenny, Dermot Campbell, Dan Corcoran, Conall McKeever, Anthony Williams, Craig Lennon (0-01), Tommy Durnin (0-04), Bevan Duffy (0-01), Ciaran Murphy, Ciaran Keenan, Conor Grimes, Ryan Burns (0-01), Sam Mulroy (0-06), Leonard Gray. Subs: Conor Early (0-02), for McKeever 25mins, Tom Jackson (0-01), and Paul Matthews for Grey and Byrne (42mins), Ciaran Byrne (0-01), for Williams (66mins).
Referee: Joe McQuillan (Cavan).