Donegal 1-12

Dublin 1-11

DONEGAL ARE THROUGH to their first ever All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final after a narrow one-point win over Dublin in Croke Park today.

Ethan O’Donnell scored the winning point in a nervy finale that saw the Leinster champions fail to score for the last 12 minutes, despite numerous chances.

It all looked so good in the early stages for Dublin as Jack Burke opened the scoring after two minutes but chances were at a premium in the first half; the score standing at just 0-2 to 0-1 in favour of Dublin after 15 minutes.

However, the 2012 winners kicked on from there and had increased their lead to four by 21 minutes as the game looked to be passing Donegal by.

That changed though when John Campbell jumped highest to fist Tony McCleneghan’s speculative effort past Eiven Whelan in the Dublin goal to jump-start his team’s efforts.

Campbell followed his maximum up with two quick-fire points to give Donegal their first lead of the game and, after Con O’Callaghan’s missed 45 on the stroke of half-time, the Ulster side took at 1-6 to 0-6 lead into the break.

Dublin started the second half as well as the first but couldn’t close the gap to less than a point despite fine scores from Chris Sallier and O’Callaghan.

However, they retook the lead on 46 minutes when Burke was first to react to a quick free before rounding Danny Rodgers and tapping home a put Dublin one point ahead; 1-10 to 1-9.

Colm Basquel really should have added a second goal for the Blues but his 48th minute point to put them two up would prove to be Dublin’s last score as Lorcan Connor, Stephen McBrearty and O’Donnell scored into the Hill to set up a final date with Kerry.

Scorers for Donegal: John Campbell 1-2, Stephen McBrearty 0-4, Lorcan Connor 0-3 (2f), Cian Mulligan 0-2, Ethan O’Donnell 0-1.

Scorers for Dublin: Jack Burke 1-2,  Con O’Callaghan (2f), Chris Sallier 0-3 each, Aaron Byrne, Eoghan McHugh and Colm Basquel 0-1 each.

DONEGAL
1. Danny Rodgers (An Clochan Liath)

2. Danny Monagle (Carn Domhnach)
3. Ciaran Gillespie (Gaoth Dobhair)
4. Colm Kelly (Aodh Rua B/S)

5. Stephen McMenamin (Aodh Rua K/G)
6. Tony McCleneghan (Bun an Phobail)
7. Cian Mulligan (Gaoth Dobhair)

8. Niall Harley (Aodh Rua B/S, capt)
9. Caolan McGonigle (Bun Crannacha)

10. Stephen McBrearty (Cill Chartha)
11. Lorcan Connor (Na Dunaibh)
12. Micheal Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair)

13. Jamie Brennan (Bun Dobhrain)
14. John Campbell (Bun Crannacha)
15. Niall Friel (Gaoth Dobhair)

Subs: Conor Morrison for Friel (black card, 35), Ethan O’Donnell for Harley (39), Gavin McBride for Brennan (48), Conor Doherty for Campbell (53), Christian Bonner for Kelly (58).

DUBLIN
1. Eiven Whelan (Trinity Gaels)

2. Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna)
3. Jack Mullins (St Brigid’s)
4. Declan Monahan (Clontarf)

5. Andrew McGowan (Kilmacud Crokes)
6. Shane Clayton (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
7. Glenn O’Reilly (Na Fianna)

8. Andrew Foley (Clontarf)
9. Eoghan McHugh (Na Fianna)

10. Conor Kavanagh (Ballymun Kickhams)
11. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
12. Jack Burke (St Maur’s)

13. Aaron Byrne (Na Fianna)
14. Con O’Callaghan (Cuala, capt)
15. Chris Sallier (Thomas Davis)

Subs: Brian Howard for Kavanagh (49), Donal McIlgorm for Foley (55), Warren Egan for Byrne (56), Aodhan Fee for McGowan (59).

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