Donegal 1-19
Cork 1-12
Denis Hurley reports from Páirc Uí Rinn
DONEGAL CAME FROM five points down at half-time to overcome relegation-threatened Cork as they stayed in the Division 2 promotion hunt with victory at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday.
While Donegal led three times in the opening stages, they were unable to make their dominance count as Cork defended well, and three points in a row, from Ruairí Deane, Luke Connolly and Eoghan McSweeney, had them 0-6 to 0-3 ahead by the 22nd minute.
Though Donegal cancelled out that lead through Michael Murphy, Caolán Ward and Ciarán Thompson but Cork finished the half well.
They had a goal as Matthew Taylor netted the rebound after Shaun Patton saved from Ruairí Deane and McSweeney added a pair of smart points to leave them 1-8 to 0-6 in front at half-time.
Collins made it a six-point game on the resumption but Donegal were more impressive in the second period.
They scored six of seven between the 37th and 52nd minutes, with Murphy showing his class while Ryan McHugh was also on target.
Though Luke Connolly’s third put Cork two ahead again, 1-11 to 0-12, Donegal had the momentum and Niall O’Donnell, Murphy and Hugh McFadden pointed to give them the lead again,
Connolly’s free levelled on the hour mark but it was to be their last score. Their cause wasn’t helped by losing captain Ian Maguire to injury with all of their subs used and a pair of Niall O’Donnell points gave Donegal a cushion before Cork were reduced to 13 as Mark Collins received a second booking.
Ó Baoill extended Donegal’s lead before Jamie Brennan netted, having been set up by Caolán McGonagle, and Cork finished with 12 as Connolly was forced off injured.
Ryan McHugh rounded things off as Donegal won by seven.
Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-6 (0-4 frees, 0-1 45), Jamie Brennan 1-2, Niall O’Donnell 0-3, Ryan McHugh, Daire Ó Baoill 0-2 each, Hugh McFadden, Ciarán Thompson, Oisín Gallen, Caolán Ward 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Luke Connolly 0-4 (0-3 frees), Eoghan McSweeney 0-3, Matthew Taylor 1-0, Mark Collins, Michael Hurley 0-2 each, Ruairí Deane 0-1.
Donegal
1. Shaun Patton (St Eunan’s)
20. Eamonn Doherty (St Eunan’s)
19. Stephen McMenamin (Red Hughs)
5. Caolán Ward (St Eunan’s)
2. Paul Brennan (Bundoran)
6. Leo McLoone (Naomh Conaill)
4. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs)
8. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs)
12. Caolán McGonagle (Buncrana)
10. Niall O’Donnell (St Eunan’s)
11. Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
7. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar)
15. Jamie Brennan (Bundoran)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
13. Oisín Gallen (Seán Mac Cumhaill)
Subs:
25. Daire Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair) for Brennan (23)
23. Paddy McGrath (Ardara) for Ward (half-time)
21. Eoin McHugh (Kilcar) for Gallen (70)
18. Neil McGee (Gaoth Dobhair) for Doherty (70)
Cork
1. Micheál Martin (Nemo Rangers)
2. Sam Ryan (St Finbarr’s)
6. Thomas Clancy (Clonakilty)
4. Conor Dennehy (St Finbarr’s)
5. Kevin Crowley (Millstreet)
3. Kevin Flahive (Douglas)
7. Matthew Taylor (Mallow)
8. Ian Maguire (St Finbarr’s)
9. Killian O’Hanlon (Kilshannig)
15. Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers)
10. Eoghan McSweeney (Knocknagree)
12. Ruairí Deane (Bantry Blues)
14. Mark Collins (Castlehaven)
13. Michael Hurley (Castlehaven)
11. Luke Connolly (Nemo Rangers)
Subs:
16. Mark White (Clonakilty) for Martin (42)
22. Ronan O’Toole (Éire Óg) for Kerrigan (57)
21. Kevin O’Driscoll (Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh) for Taylor (57)
24. Seán Powter (Douglas) for Deane (61-64, blood)
20. Cian Kiely (Ballincollig) for Dennehy (63)
Powter for Crowley (67)
Referee: David Gough [Meath]
There were many standout moments this year, many players that stepped up to the mark but for me the one player who epitomized all the good things about Leinster is Robbie Henshaw. Himself and Ringrose make Leinsters and Ireland’s best centre pairing and consistently deliver a quality of performances not matched by others either here or abroad. Long may it continue.
My wish for 2021? That we can get back to supporting our team. God I miss the RDS match days.
@Ro Molloy: so true
So if you include last seasons victories with this seasons, it something like 27 played and 26 wins. Which is an incredible stat.
@Greg Cavey: 28 out of 29 if you Champions Cup. That’s phenomenal. However they haven’t played any decent teams this yet this season. The lack of depth in most PRO14 squads makes it easy for them when the internationals are on.
Munster & Ulster are also too strong for most other PRO14 teams.
Leinster were convincing in Europe. Munster showed grit and hinted that real progress is being made. Ulster? More depth required & maybe more quality in some positions.
Playing in the PRO14 isn’t improving Leinster but maybe when the top SA teams join it will improve them & the other Irish provinces and therefore the national team.
@TL55: Why would they need to improve…They are the best in the league by far.
@Harry O’Callaghan: To beat the likes of Saracens, Exeter and Toulouse.
Leinster correctly want to the big fish in the big pond not just the little pond.
@Harry O’Callaghan: So champions cup quarter final losses are the acceptable Leinster standard now are they? Do you think Exeter aren’t looking to improve or will they just sit and wait for someone to take the champions cup and premiership from them?
@Kohn Jeenan: it’s acceptable to lose 1 game of rugby per season. This can happen if you can’t see the improvement year on year at leinster well your just not looking.
@Chris Mc: I didn’t say they aren’t improving though, they are, I was saying they definitely need to keep improving, since it was implied they don’t need to improve at all just for being the best club in the pro14….
@Chris Mc: do you not think leinster have some issues at the setpiece? Furlong should shore up the scrum but leinster still have a bit of a dependence on toner
@Tim Magner: the leinster lineout is very poor even with toner in it.
Any team who competes in the air will win a fair amount of leinster ball. Its hard to understand as Cullen was a very good lineout operator.
Its far too complicated, too many moving parts and as simple as it sounds putting toner (or Ryan) straight up at 2 often discourages teams from competing and as such makes ball to the back easier to win in the long run.
@Chris Mc: I just don’t think the leinster pack has improved since ’18. Back then they had probably the 2 best props in europe in furlong & healy, ryan was on fire, toner was 2 yrs younger, fardy was keeping lowe out of the hcup squad and leavy was at his best. Since then porter and doris have shown their mettle at international level and baird looks a serious prospect but I dont think the pack now is as good as it was
@Tim Magner: fair point, healy is not getting any younger and Jack is gone. Furlong will be back soon enough and porter is a fine prop.
Hooker we are in a better place and while Ryan is not playing as well as he was what’s coming through with baird Dunne and Moloney is getting better. The backrow is better now. Leavy is almost there and doris is firing, Conan, jvdf, connors, penny ruddock Murphy etc are all seriously pushing each other. This pack will gell over the next few months. Only real concern is at looshead.
@Chris Mc: yer by no means in a bad place, ye still have the best pack in the pro14. I think the 18 pack was the best in europe though. As you say though the 2 young hookers look the business, penny has the look of a class player and baird could be special so as a munster fan I know leinster are going nowhere
@Tim Magner: I guess time will tell with this lot. In fairness the munster pack is becoming a serious unit too. Bar kilcoyne your missing a front row but have a few younger ones who could step up but the likes of coombes JOD and Aherne all could really make the grade. Theres nothing like players who grew up wanting to play for a club.