County Minors Triumphant - Armagh too strong for Seniors

Donegal 2-12 Antrim 1-05

Donegal powered their way to their first Ulster Minor Championship since. 1996 in Croke Park on Sunday last and also completed the Ulster Championship and Minor League double. Again after a slow start in the opening half Donegal upped their performance in the second period to cruise home with a ten-point cushion in the end to collect the Father Murray Cup. Antrim led by 1-03 to 0-02 at one stage in the first half but a goal from Martin Mc Elhinney brought Donegal back into the game to lead at the break by 1-04 to 1-03 after a nervous opening 30 minutes by the Donegal youngsters. Early points on the resumption of play by Paul McGinley and captain Eoin Wade extended the lead but Antrim fought back with points fromAaron Thompson and Conor Murray. However, Donegal were to finish very strongly with a string of points from Dara Gallagher, Ross Wherity, Eoin wade (2), Dualtach Molloy and Michael Murphy before a second goal from Martin McElhinney ensured a comprehensive deserving victory. It was fine all-round performance with Paul Mc Ginley, Ross Wherity, EoinWade, Dara Gallagher and Gerard Ward particularly impressing. The Donegal lads can now look forward to an All-Ireland Quarter-Final in a couple of weeks with high hopes of going much further in the competition. Donegal: Lee McFadden, Declan Walsh, Shane Boyle, Mark McGowan, Paul McGinley (0.1), Leo McLoone, Paul Thornton, Ross Wherity (0.1), Michael Murphy (0.3), Martin McElhinney (2.0), Dualtach Molloy (0.3), Eoin Wade (0.3), Brendan Faherty, Gerard Ward, Dara Gallagher (0.1) Subs.: Declan McGarvey for Gerard Ward, Barry Shovlin for Ross Wherity and James Carroll for Brendan Faherty.
Sean Dunnion

Donegal 0-09 Armagh 1-09

Croke Park on Sunday last was yet another disappointing day for Donegal as Armagh powered their way to a three-in-a-row and their sixth Ulster Championship in eight years. In truth, the Orchard County were the better side and were in relative control in the second half after a goal by Paul McGrane in the 36th minute. However, Donegal could have stolen a draw in injury time when Stephen McDermott was put through on goal by Paddy Campbell but Armagh keeper Paul Hearty denied McDermott with a fine save.
The opening half was evenly balanced with Adrian Sweeney (2), Rory Kavanagh and Barry Dunnion knocking over points to leave the sides level at 0-04 each at the break. On the resumption, disaster struck for Donegal as McGrane broke free and from 14m smashed the ball past Paul Durcan to open up a three-point lead. Points from Conall Dunne, Colin Kelly and Adrian Sweeney dragged the Tir Chonaill men back into the game 0-07 to 1-05 but Armagh’s frontline of Oisin Mc Conville and Ronan Clarke extended the lead to three points once again. Further points from Eamon McGee and Michael Hegarty were cancelled out by John McEntee and Andy Mallon before Mc Dermott’s chance at the death could have forced a replay.
Best for Donegal on the day were mainly defenders with Karl Lacey, Neil McGee and Barry Dunnion excelling while Adrian Sweeney tried hard and was the pick of the forward division. This game will certainly stand to this young Donegal side and they still can have a major impact in the championship this year when they return to action in Round 4 of the Qualifiers on SaturdayJuly 29th.
Donegal: Paul Durcan, Karl Lacey, Paddy Campbell, Neil McGee, Eamon McGee (0-1), Barry Monaghan, Barry Dunnion (0-1), Neil Gallagher, Brendan Boyle, Christy Toye, Michael Hegarty (0-1), Ciaran Bonner, Rory Kavanagh (0-1), Conall Dunne (0-1), Adrian Sweeney (0-3) Subs. Colin Kelly (0-1) for Conall Dunne, Damien Diver for Brendan Boyle and Stephen McDermott for Adrian Sweeney.