Dublin Masters must meet Donegal again as semi-final ends level

Sun, 19th August 2018

DUBLIN 2-8 DONEGAL 0-14

The Dubs and Donegal must meet again next weekend after drawing in last Saturday’s All-Ireland Masters Football (O-40s) semi-final in Lacken, Cavan.

Dublin led by five points at the break but Donegal were the stronger side in the second-half and were left to rue some late scoring opportunities.

Donegal opened the scoring with a Gerard McGrenra point from 35 metres before Ciarán McGuinness opened his account in the seventh minute for Dublin.

Dublin hit their first goal in the ninth minute when Eoin Bennis showed good poacher’s instinct to fire a rebound to the Donegal net.

But Donegal responded well with points from Adrian McColgan and Michael Ward to leave it at 1-1 to 0-3.

Dublin struck for their second goal on 21 minutes with Niall Crossan doing well for Ciarán McGuinness to find the net.

Peter Murtagh added a point before Michael Ward became the third Donegal freetaker and he converted on 23 minutes.

Ross Hainsworth tagged on a Dublin point before Niall Crossan pointed a free for Dublin to lead 2-4 to 0-5 at the interval.

Inside the opening minute of the second half Michael Ward converted a free for Donegal and Paul McGonigle added another from distance within a minute.

Niall Crossan pushed Dublin’s lead back out to four but Donegal were level by the 41st minute with scores coming from Gerard McGrenra, John McFadden, Adrwian McColgan and Michael Ward (free).

But back battled Dublin with scores from the impressive McGuinness and Hainsworth before Michael Ward replied from a free.

McGuinness put Dublin 2-8 to 0-12 ahead with a bit over ten minutes remaining but the Dubs failed to register another score as Donegal reeled them in before the finish to set up a replay.

DUBLIN: Danny O'Brien; Mick Coyne, Ian Clarke, Felim Condron; David Spratt, Shane Ryan, Gary O'Connell; Cormac Smith, Aidan Morrissey; Peter Murtagh (0-1), John Madden, Eoin Bennis (1-0); Ciaran McGuinness (1-3), Damian Flanagan, Niall Crossan (0-2, 1f). Subs: Ray Cosgrove, Ross Hainsworth (0-2), Peter Finn, Noel Peacock, Andrew Farrell, Paul Croft, Mick O'Keeffe, Ken Darcy.

DONEGAL: Martin Gillespie; Charlie Doherty, Packie McGrath, Donal Martin; PJ Gallagher, Seán McDaid, John McFadden (0-2); Kerry Ryan, Paul McGonigle (0-2, 1f); Brian McLaughlin, Adrian McColgan (0-2), Charlie Bonner; Gerard McGrenra (0-2), Shaun Boyce, Michael Ward (0-7, 5f). Subs: Benny Cassidy, Paul Gallagher, John Haran, Maurice McBride.

REF: Jason McAndrew (Ballybay, Monaghan).