IT’S ALL ABOUT Dublin and Donegal today. First up, it was the minors’ turn to take centre-stage in Croke Park.
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Fáilte go bPáirc an Chrócaigh! We’re almost set for the first of today’s All-Ireland semi-final double-header between Dublin and Donegal. Throw-in for the minor game is in 10 minutes.
Here’s how Leinster champions Dublin will line out.
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)
And here’s the Donegal line-up:
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)
THROW IN: We’re up and running with the Dubs attacking the Hill 16 end in this first half.
Dublin 0-1 Donegal 0-0: 2 mins — Jack Burke kicks the opening score of the afternoon.
Dublin 0-1 Donegal 0-1: 5 mins – Donegal centre-forward Lorcan Connor does brilliantly to field a high ball and draws the free, which he points.
Dublin 0-2 Donegal 0-1: 6 mins – Aaron Byrne puts Dublin back in front with a point from the edge of the square.
It has been a low-scoring start here — Donegal looking a little bit sluggish but Dublin are doing well to keep chances to a minimum. Jamie Brennan kicks another wide into the Canal End.
Another nice move by Donegal who work it into a central position through John Campbell and Stephen McBrearty. Micheal Carroll’s shot drifts left and wide though.
Dublin 0-3 Donegal 0-1: 16 mins – It’s 10 minutes since our last score and this one has gone to Dublin. Eoin Murchan pushes on from corner-back and he plays in Burke who kicks his second score of the afternoon.
Dublin 0-4 Donegal 0-1: 19 mins – Patient approach play from Dublin to work the ball back in from the shadow of the Cusack Stand before captain Con O’Callaghan kicks a fine point.
Dublin 0-5 Donegal 0-1: 21 mins – Dublin’s dominance is starting to show now. Colm Basquel bears down on goal and decides to fist the point rather than take a shot on Danny Rodgers’ goal.
GOAL FOR DONEGAL! Dublin 0-5 Donegal 1-1 (Campbell, 23′) And just like that, we’ve got a game on our hands. Tony McCleneghan drops a high and hopeful ball in on the edge of the square and John Campbell gets up highest to fist it past Eiven Whelan.
Donegal 1-3 Dublin 0-5: 26 mins — Game on, Ger! Campbell is on fire for Donegal, kicking two quick points to put his side into the lead.
Donegal 1-4 Dublin 0-6: 27 mins – And another for Donegal to make it 1-3 without reply in the last four minutes. This time it’s Lorcan Connor.
Chris Sallier hits back for Dublin at the other end to stem the green and gold tide. A point in it.
Donegal 1-5 Dublin 0-6: 29 mins – Lorcan Connor stands over a very kickable free for Donegal but it drops just under the bar where Whelan claims it well.
A moment later, Stephen McBrearty finds wing-back Cian Mulligan off his shoulder and he kicks a beautiful score.
We’re into the first of two additional minutes at the end of this first half. Dublin will be anxious to get back into the dressing room without too much damage.
Donegal 1-6 Dublin 0-6: 30+1 mins – Superb work by Micheal Carroll and he sets up Stephen McBrearty to point.
HALF TIME: Donegal 1-6 Dublin 0-6
Con O’Callaghan just misses a 45 and the half-time whistle goes.
“John Campbell is Michael Murphy 2.0,” writes Cathal Kelly in the comments. You’re not wrong, Cathal!
Scorers for Donegal: Campbell 1-2, Connor 0-2 (1f), Mulligan, McBrearty 0-1 each.
Scorers for Dublin: Burke, Sallier 0-2 each, Byrne, O’Callaghan 0-1 each.
Donegal 1-6 Dublin 0-7: 31 mins – Perfect start for Dublin as Eoghan McHugh kicks a point within the first few seconds.
33 mins – Aaron Byrne has plenty of time but snatches at his chance and it’s right and wide.
BLACK CARD! Donegal’s corner-forward Niall Friel is shown black for dragging down Aaron Byrne on the edge of the square. Conor Morrison is on to replace him.
Donegal 1-7 Dublin 0-8: 36 mins – Con O’Callaghan points the resulting free but wing-back Cian Mulligan takes his second of the day for Donegal at the other end.
Not a lot to choose between the sides at this stage.
Donegal 1-7 Dublin 0-9: 39 mins – Powerful running by Con O’Callaghan and he draws a soft free from the Donegal defence. He points.
Great chance for Dublin. Basquel’s shot hits the post and Conor Kavanagh is quickest to react. He hesitates for a split second and it’s enough to allow Danny Monagle to get across and block him.
Donegal 1-8 Dublin 0-9: 41 mins – A beaut of a score from Stephen McBrearty puts Donegal two up.
Donegal 1-8 Dublin 0-10: 43 mins – Donegal give away possession cheaply as they try to work it out from the back. Sallier shrugs off the tackle and points. He’s been in fine form today from corner-forward.
Donegal 1-9 Dublin 0-10: 45 mins – Lorcan Connor is dogged in possession and shovels it off to Stephen McBrearty who points.
GOAL FOR DUBLIN! Dublin 1-10 Donegal 1-9 (Burke, 46′) Quick thinking from the Dubs and they’re back in front. They take a free quickly and it’s flicked on to Jack Burke who shows a cool head to round Rodgers and score.
Dublin 1-11 Donegal 1-10: 48 mins – Colm Basquel has a chance to score Dublin’s second goal but he fires just over the Donegal bar.
At the other end, the growing crowd of Dubs on Hill 16 try to put Lorcan Connor off his kick but he blocks out the boos to keep Donegal within a point.
53 mins – Donegal sub Gavin McBride tries his luck with a free from 47 or 48 yards out. He has the height but it’s just left of Whelan’s posts.
55 mins – McBride has a much easier free but this time, the blue sea on Hill 16 does enough to put him off. Still a one-point game with five minutes left.
Dublin 1-11 Donegal 1-11: 57 mins – ALL SQUARE! Another gem by Stephen McBrearty and we’re level with three minutes to play.
Donegal 1-12 Dublin 1-11: 58 mins — A free breaks to Donegal sub Ethan O’Donnell and he blasts it over the bar. Donegal lead — can Dublin find the equaliser?
Con O’Callaghan lines it up but Donegal keeper Danny Rodgers gets a fist on it as it drops short.
It’ll be a Dublin 45 now. Late, late drama…
Aodhan Fee has a chance to level it with the final kick of the game but it drops short and full-back Ciaran Gillespie rises highest to claim it as the final whistle goes.
Donegal are into the All-Ireland MFC final.
Very good read i cant wait for huge Gavin to play for them look’s like all irish side’s have plenty of dept and strength
Murray, you left Shayne Bolton out of your back 3 assessments, probably the most explosive back in the squad, behind Mack, of course!
@Mary Corrigan: Was that him running in tries against Glasgow? looks a tidy player.
@Thesaltyurchin: Yes, it was!
@Mary Corrigan: Hope he can stay healthy!!! Really want this lad to get some luck this season…Pace and Power bottled.
At some stage this season hoping that we have Santi @ FB, Mack and Bolton on the wings!!
That’s a tasty back 3!
I’ve a feeling Ioane is going to be a dud signing. The Chiefs fans I’ve come across online are delighted to be getting rid of him
@5sZl1dX2: Sometimes a player needs a change of scene to recapture his form
Some gems in the Connacht Squad, Gavin, Ioane, Cordero who should make their mark this season.I still feel Connacht is the IRFUs greatest uptapped opportunity for a number of reasons.
Firstly there are quality players at Leinster who wont get much game time, think Scott Penney, Harry Byrne or Rob Rusell. All would be in the mix for a Connacht European match day 23
Secondly the current Connacht squad is particularly week in the front five. Just investing in acquiring 3 international players at SR, LH and Hooker would substantially level up Connacht and make those European away games more winnable for them. Wish the IRFU would allocate a few million more to Connacht and help them move into ERC knock out contenders
@Owen ODonoghue: One thing connacht never lack for are speedy outside backs, so Russell might not get many more games than at Leinster. Penny would at best be 2nd choice at 7 to Moose, who was Connacht’s best player in a strong back row. You’re mostly right about the tight five, but our international locks (Dillane and Thornbury) moved on because Connacht couldn’t afford to hold onto them, especially with RO’G headhunting Dillane.