MONAGHAN FOUGHT BACK from four points down at half-time to defeat Donegal in the Buncrana Cup (Under-16) semi-final in Muff this afternoon.
Donegal 1-9 Monaghan 1-10
Aaron Doherty’s goal on 19 minutes had put Donegal in a decent position, but Craig Callan’s goal for Monaghan at the start of the second half was the catalyst for the comeback.
Photo caption: The Donegal panel prior to their Buncrana Cup semi-final against Monaghan in Muff today. Photo: Geraldine Diver
Monaghan went onto go three points in front when Conor McKeown pointed on 48 minutes and although 14-man Donegal – who had Corrie-Lee Bogan sent off for striking when trying to retrieve the ball – scored two late points from Doherty, they missed out on extra-time when Keelin McMonagle was out at the bitter end.
[adrotate group=”38″]The sides were level on five occasions early in the first half, with Donegal’s first four points coming from three from Oisin Gallan and a Bogan effort.
Aaron McGee of Monaghan wins the ball ahead of Peter McEniff of Donegal in the Buncrana Cup semi-final this afternoon at Muff. Photo: Geraldine Diver
Monagan were level at 0-4 apiece though, with Tiernan McSkeane’s two points joining Callan and James McCaughey on the scoreboard.
A quick free from Lanty Molloy got Doherty away to score Donegal’s goal and points from Luke Gavigan and Gallen made for a 1-6 to 0-5 interval lead.
But Callan’s goal, when he shot past Eoin O’Boyle following a long ball in from Chris Hanratty and the Farney County grew from there.
Although Gallen’s fifth point put Donegal 1-7 to 1-5 in front, Monaghan kicked the next five scores to move three in front.
Alan Curley scored three of them, while Darren Geoghan and McKeown were also scorers. Donegal did almost get on terms but in the end, fell short.
Donegal: Eoin O’Boyle; Jordan Burns, Finn Gallagher, Cian Doherty; Peter McEniff, Shane McColgan, Conor O’Donnell (Dungloe); Luke Gavigan (0-1), Padraig Skelly; Oisin Gallen (0-5, 3f), Lanty Molloy, Keelin McMonagle; Shane McDevitt, Daniel Ward, Corrie-Lee Bogan (0-1). Subs: Conor O’Donnell (Carndonagh), Aaron Doherty (1-2), Odhran Doogan, Conor McHugh, Jamie Crawford, Chad McSorley, Jonathan Toye.
Monaghan: Kian O’Connor; Conor McKeown, Ryan O’Toole, Oisin Hamill; Chris Hanratty, Charlie Counihan, Cormac McKenna (0-1); Aaron McGee, Alan Curley (0-3); Ryan Lynch, James McCaughey (0-2), Kieran Duffy; Tiernan McSkeane (0-2, 2f), Craig Callan (1-3), Padraig Hughes. Subs: Darren Geoghan (0-1)
Referee: Kieran Eanetta (Tyrone).
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