Ardara overcame Four Masters in an absorbing Donegal Under-21 ‘A’ Championship quarter-final at Glenfin this afternoon.
Ardara 1-14 Four Masters 1-12 (after extra-time)
After coming from a point down at half-time to lead by six points with seven minutes to go, Ardara looked to have done enough to have clinched a semi-final spot.
However Four Masters had other ideas and produced a stirring finish to draw level with a final minute penalty to send this cracking game to extra-time.
That produced it’s own drama as Ardara scored the opening four points to again look as if they had it won but back came Masters yet again with the next three scores to leave just a point in it with three minutes left.
But Lorcan O’Donnell kicked his seventh point in the 78th minute to send Ardara through and finally end the excellent effort from the gallant losers.
It was 0-4 to 0-3 to Four Masters at half-time,
Sean Meehan scored three from play and Jamie Crawford added another, while Naill McCrossan converted two frees and the impressive John Ross Molley got Ardara’s only score from play in the opening half.
Mc Crossan was denied a goal by an excellent save from Four Masters keeper Ryan Haughey following a super build-up by Ardara in the 23rd minute.
In the first minute of the second-half Haughey again came to his team’s recuse, this time denying Jack Brennan with a fine save after Danny Walsh had sent him clear.
Ardara then hit four points in a row, Lorcan O’Donnell got two and between those McCrossan and Johnny Sweeney both scored to put their team three ahead.
Back came Four Masters with points from Crawford and Meehan to narrow the gap to just one point inches 47th minute and all to play for.
Lorcan O’Donnell and sub Darragh O’Donnell with his first touch extended the lead to three and then John Ross Molloy burst through before setting up Johnny Sweeney who blasted low to the net, giving keeper Haughet no chance and suddenly it was
1-9 to 0-6 in Ardara’s favour with seven minutes remaining.
To their credit Four Masters refused to accept defeat and took control as Ardara appeared to settle for what the had.
Thomas McGowan kicked a fine point from play and followed it with two from frees and with a minute left it was a three point game.
Ardara decided to try and hold what they had but that proved to be a mistake as Jamie Crawford was pulled down by Daniel Breslin in the 60th minute and McGowan hammered home the penalty to send us to extra-time at 1-9 apiece.
Ardara dominated the first period, Shane O’Donnell pointed in the first minute and then Lorcan O’Donnell converted three frees to make it 1-13 to 1-09 in their favour.
Masters weren’t finished and McGowan pointed frees just before and just after half-time to leave two in it and then when Crawford burst through for a goal chance it took a brillant block by Joe Melly to deny him.
McGowan made it a one point game with another free but with just over a minute left Lorcan O’Donnell kicked his 7th point to secure a last four spot for Ardara and end an excellent game of football in difficult conditions.
Ardara: Paddy Gallagher, Senan Boyle, Joe Melly, Ultan Brennan, Gerard McHugh, Tony Harkin, Daniel Breslin, John Ross Molloy (0-1), Danny Walsh, Jack Brennan, Johnny Sweeney (1-1), Oisín Brennan, Niall McCrossan (0-3f), Shane O’Donnell (0-1), Lorcan O’Donnell (0-7 6f ). Subs: Darragh O’Donnell (0-1) for McCrossan (51), Robbie Adair for Boyle (54), Eoin Harkin for Oisín Brennan (75), Boyle for Shane O’Donnell (78).
Four Masters: Ryan Haughey, Cathal Canavan, Aaron McCrea, Brian Fagan, Daire Quinn, Dylan Kennedy, Jack Sherrin, Patrick Reid, Darren Doherty, Fergal O’Callaghan, Neil Ward, Jamie Crawford (0-2), Cathal Feeney, Thomas Mc Gowan (1-6f), Sean Meehan (0-4). Subs: Conor Breslin for O’Callaghan (25), Cian Hegarty for Sherrin (55), Eoin Curley for Ward (70), Oisín Reid for Feeney (78).
Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Mhuire).
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