Donegal Under-17s suffered their first defeat of the year against Antrim on Saturday at O’Donnell Park.
Donegal 2-13 Antrim 3-14
Donegal, who are already in the semi-finals, showed 12 changes from the team that defeated Derry last week, but they got off to a perfect start, scoring 1-2 in the opening 10 minutes.
The goal came from Diarmuid O’Cathail in the third minute while Oisin Bonner – who top-scored for the hosts with 1-7 – arrowed over two points.
Antrim hit back with a goal from Peter Harvey in the 14th minute and they were 1-8 to 1-5 in front at the break.
Antrim’s final point of the first period was scored by Ruairi Brolly, son of former Derry star and now GAA pundit Joe Brolly.
Francie Friel’s Donegal will play a semi-final on Saturday and were in eperimental mode here.
Eamon Kelly fired home a second Antrim goal in the second minute of the second half while Aaron McNeely added another soon after.
Late in the game, Bonner netted a penalty for Donegal, who couldn’t quite go close enough to turn the tables.
Donegal: Shane Corless; Mikey Boyle, Luke Mullin, Shane McColgan; Shane McDevitt, Conor O’Donnell, Ryan Carr; Michael Statham, Diarmuid O’Cathail (1-0); Matthew McKenna, Daniel Gallagher (0-1), Ryan Brogan (0-1); Ross Marley (0-1), Oisin Bonner (1-8, 1pen, 4f), Cian Doherty. Subs used: Ian Campbell (0-1), Conor O’Donnell (0-1), James Kelly, Jordan Burns, Eoin O’Boyle.
Antrim: Luke Mulholland; Eoin McCusker, Callum Scullion, Rory Gough; Cormac McGettigan, Eamon Kelly, Conall Murray; Jamie Lamont, Cormac Barr; Marc McElwee, Adam Loughran, Aaron McNeilly; Ruairi Brolly, Peter Harvey, Shay Bovill.
Referee: Stephen Campbell (Tyrone)
