Galway 1-14
Donegal 0-15
ON AN AFTERNOON of high tension, the stakes raised considerably by the removal of key contenders from this summer’s football championship, Galway got the job done.
In a match where the teams were level ten times, the margin separating themselves and Donegal always looked likely to be thin. When Michael Langan boomed over his fourth stunning point of the day in the 61st minute, it drew Donegal level at 1-12 to 0-15.
But in the ensuing frantic passages of play, they failed to add to their scoring tally, and indeed only scored one point after the 48th minute.
Galway found the gaps to work the vital opportunities. They got a break with Ciaran Thompson judged to have handled the ball on the ground in the 65th minute, Robert Finnerty slotting over a free that edged them ahead, moments after Oisin Gallen had missed a straightforward looking kick at the other end.
The insurance score was provided by Liam Silke, thundering forward to clip over off his left into Hill 16. Galway withheld Donegal’s series of attacks, their battle-hardened stance serving them well, while the Ulster champions saw their accuracy elude them in those decisive phases.
What transpired to be the critical score of the game arrived much earlier after 24 minutes. Paul Conroy sized up a point attempt that looped short, it hopped in front of the goal as Matthew Tierney rushed across and his presence appeared to distract Donegal goalkeeper Shaun Patton, as the ball flew up in to the net.
It was an element of fortune in Galway’s favour, pushing them ahead 1-6 to 0-6, but it was telling how brilliantly Donegal responded. They scored four of the last five points in the first half, Langan to the fore in that period as he swung two beautiful shots between the posts.
The game had began at a sharp pace as both teams notched four points apiece in the first 15 minutes. Conroy’s goal and Donegal’s point-scoring spree brought them to a level position at the midway mark.
Donegal’s capacity to grab points looked greater with Ciaran Thompson, Oisin Gallen and Langan all impressing. Captain Patrick McBrearty nudged them ahead in the 42nd minute with a stylish effort, but they only added one point from play in the remainder of the game.
Galway’s defensive prowess came to the fore and they wore their opponents down. Man-of-the-match Dylan McHugh spearheaded their challenge, aided by club colleague Liam Silke, as they got over the line with two to spare.
Scorers for Galway: Robert Finnerty 0-4 (0-2f), Paul Conroy 1-1, Shane Walsh 0-3 (0-2f), Dylan McHugh 0-2, Liam Silke 0-2, Cillian McDaid 0-1, John Maher 0-1.
Scorers for Donegal: Michael Langan 0-4, Oisin Gallen 0-3, Patrick McBrearty 0-3 (0-1f), Shane O’Donnell 0-2, Ciarán Thompson 0-2 (0-1 mark), Caolan McGonagle 0-1.
Galway
1. Connor Gleeson (Dunmore MacHales)
2. Johnny McGrath (Caherlistrane), 6. Liam Silke (Corofin0, 4. Jack Glynn (Claregalway)
5. Dylan McHugh (Corofin), 3, Seán Fitzgerald (Bearna, 7. Seán Mulkerrin (Oileáin Árann)
8. Paul Conroy (St James’), 11. John Maher (Salthill-Knocknacarra)
10. Matthew Tierney (Oughterard), 22. Cein Darcy (Ballyboden-St Enda’s), 12. Cillian McDaid (Monivea Abbey)
13. Robert Finnerty (Salthill Knocknacarra), 14. Damien Comer (Annaghdown), 15. Shane Walsh (Kilmacud Crokes)
Subs
- 23. Johnny Heaney (Killanin) for Darcy (57)
- 19. Daniel O’Flaherty (Salthill-Knocknacarra) for Walsh (63)
- 17. John Daly (Mountbellew-Moylough) for Fitzgerald (66)
- 20. Kieran Molloy (Corofin) for Comer (72)
- 25. Tomo Culhane (Salthill-Knocknacarra) for McDaid (72)
Donegal
1. Shaun Patton (St Eunan’s)
4. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), 3. Brendan McCole (St Naul’s), 7. Peadar Mogan (St Naul’s)
5 Ryan McHugh (Kilcar), 6. Caolan McGonagle (Buncrana), 17. Caolan McColgan (St Patrick’s Muff)
9. Michael Langan (St Michael’s), 22. Jason McGee (Cloughaneely)
11. Shane O’Donnell (St Eunan’s), 8. Ciaran Thompson (Naomh Conaill), 2. Ciaran Moore (St Eunan’s)
13. Patrick McBrearty (Kilcar), 14. Oisin Gallen (Ballybofey), 25. Aaron Doherty (Naomh Columba)
Subs
- 12. Daire Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair) for McColgan (30)
- 10. Jeaic Mac Cealbhuí (Naomh Conaill) for Gallagher (inj) (48)
- 15. Niall O’Donnell (St Eunan’s) for McBrearty (59)
- 23. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs) for Jason McGee (59)
- 19. Odhran Doherty (Naomh Conaill) for Aaron Doherty (63)
Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)
