Donegal 0-15
Monaghan 1-9
DONEGAL HAVE WON their third Ulster senior football title in four years with a three point win over Monaghan in Clones this afternoon.
It was sweet revenge for Jim McGuinness’ men who lost last year’s decider to the same opponents but today’s game was far from a vintage affair.
A low-scoring first half started with a pair of missed frees from Conor McManus and Michael Murphy before Karl Lacey – a late edition to the Donegal starting XV – opened the scoring when a speculative ball broke his way.
Eamonn McGee and Colm McFadden added points of their own before Paul Finlay finally opened the scoring for Malachy O’Rourke’s men on 14 minutes.
It would take another nine minutes before Finlay tapped over the game’s next score though that prompted Donegal to kick on; stretching their advantage to three points once more with scores from Anthony Thompson and Colm McFadden (2).
Odhran MacNiallais pointed either side of Rory Beggan and Finlay scores to send Donegal in with 0-6 to 0-4 half-time lead.
The second half started with pointed frees for either side before Donegal increased their advantage to four points through McFadden again.
However, the Farney gave themselves a great chance of winning back-to-back titles for the first time since 1930 when Christopher McGuinness powered through to bury the ball past Paul Durcan in the Donegal goal to make it 0-10 to 1-6.
Monaghan were unable to build on that goal though as Donegal regrouped and re-established a four point cushion with scores from Ryan McHugh, Patrick McBrearty and Murphy.
A late Conor McManus score reduced the final deficit to three but it was far too little, too late as Donegal pick up their eighth Ulster title.
Scorers for Donegal: Colm McFadden 0-4 (0-4f), Odhran MacNiallais and Patrick McBrearty 0-3 each, Michael Murphy 0-2 (0-2f), Ryan McHugh, Karl Lacey and Anthony Thompson 0-1 each.
Scorers for Monaghan: Paul Finlay 0-4 (0-3f), Christopher McGuinness 1-0, Rory Beggan 0-2 (0-1f, 0-1’45) Vincent Corey, Kieran Hughes and Conor McManus 0-1 each.
DONEGAL
1. Paul Durcan (The Four Masters)
2. Eamonn McGee (Ghaoth Dobhair)
3. Neil McGee (Ghaoth Dobhair)
6. Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)
5. Anthony Thompson (Naomh Conaill)
22. Karl Lacey (The Four Masters)
7. Paddy McGrath (Ardara)
26. Neil Gallagher (Glenswilly)
9. Christy Toye (Naomh Mícheál)
4. Ryan McHugh (Chíll Chartha)
11. Leo McLoone (Naomh Conaill)
12. Odhrán Mac Niallais (Ghaoth Dobhair)
17. Darach O’Connor (Naomh Conaill)
14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly)
15. Colm McFadden (Naomh Mícheál)
Subs: Patrick McBrearty for O’Connor, Rory Kavanagh for Toye, Martin McElhinney for MacNiallais, Declan Walsh for McLoone, Dermot Molloy for McFadden.
MONAGHAN
1. Rory Beggan (Scotstown)
2. Ryan Wylie (Ballybay)
3. Drew Wylie (Ballybay)
4. Colin Walshe (Doohamlet)
5. Dessie Mone (Clontibret)
6. Vinny Corey (Clontibret)
7. Fintan Kelly (Clones)
8. Dick Clerkin (Currin)
9. Darren Hughes (Scotstown)
10. Paudie Mc Kenna (Truagh Gaels)
11. Stephen Gollogly (Carrickmacross)
12. Paul Finlay (Ballybay)
13. Dermot Malone (Castleblayney Faughs)
14. Kieran Hughes (Scotstown)
15. Conor McManus (Clontibret)
Subs: Christopher McGuinness for McKenna, Owen Duffy for Gollogly, Karl O’Connell for Kelly, Pádraig Donaghy for Malone, Gavin Doogan for Clerkin.
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois).
Can’t believe the journal couldn’t find someone to do a minute by minute for the Ulster final….but of Course the Leinster senior AND minor were fully covered.
Struggled to watch it not to mind read about it tbh
I agree, maybe Mr. O Rourke can explain The Journal’s policy, if he is allowed?
No they did, he fell asleep.
Why cover shite.
You’re just sore you were captured in Donegal Wolfe, let it go man
Have to agree wit you Wolfe tone, hard to watch, hon the Farney .
To win 3 of the last 4 Ulster championships is a great achievement. Well done Donegal.
Thx. Great win by the minors too – they look v strong. Best of luck to Monaghan – hope they can regroup for qualifiers.
absolute dire stuff Ulster is slowly killing Gaelic football
Donegal won easy enough in the end. Never really looked that threatened by Monaghan. Be interesting to see how far Donegal can go this year.
Still more entertaining than at least 25-35% of soccer matches.
That’s a random stat kevin
It’s not a stat, stats are facts. This is just an opinion. Big difference.
Ok, it’s a bit random that you pulled a figure of 25-35% out of your ass. Valid opinion indeed.
So if I said “this match was still more entertaining than a good chunk of soccer matches”, you wouldn’t have been so pedantic? Or would “good chunk” have been too vague to gain your validation as an opinion??
I see. So you’re easily bothered, and failed to see the very basic sentiment behind my comment. I hope I don’t fall foul of your judgement again
Most interesting thing was the Palestine flag at the end #Controversial
Why #flag
Would rather eat my own flesh than watch that again…
Would that include eating your own willie, Willie?
Although the quality of football wasn’t fantastic, the commentary was shocking. Tom Carr and Martin carney are two of the worst “experts” ever to commentate on football.
Dublin no biting , Dublin no biting. Oh man.
Puke football – if this stuff wins titles I’m off to watch cricket
Off you go to the lords then so.
I see the savages on the pitch for the presentation anything goes in Ulster
Not unlike the savages caged in on the hill eeh Paul
Tyrone fooked that up for everyone if I remember correctly the province is killing the game
Only savages dear Paul r on Dublin Football team how many bitings now.
none how many players sanctioned over biting Eileen?
Jason Whelan 1 and the other ones the GAA buckled it
Paul this is the second time you asked that question and on both occasions you got your answer – Jason Whelan for one. This disgusting Neanderthal behaviours has to stop. Whatever the debate about tactics no player should be subjected to this barbarism.
totally agree no time for such carry on
That was a terrible advertisement for GAA. As poor as the Leinster Final was at least there was some football on show. Let’s hope they meet Mayo again this year and get another hammering. Maybe then they will change their tactics and try and play the game as it is meant to be played.
It’s the only tactic to get out of Ulster. If you want to stop it then support an open draw. I’m up for that. I can say for certain if Dublin were in ulster they’d not come out with 3 out of 4 provincial titles.
Well first of all they can’t play Mayo unless they both get to the final. And play how its ment to be played? Didn’t realise there was a compulsory style of Gaelic football play. May as well through out all the chalkboards, scouting missions, tactics and formation styles as everyone has to play the same to be successful.
Congrats to donegal on victory! But,I don’t know what to say about the football,I’m at loss where to start really, putrid football! Just pure MUCK
Pure shit to look at.
So is your… Ah forget it