Darragh Greene struck an 83rd minute winner as Donegal got the better of Inishowen in the opening FAI New Balance Youth Inter-League Cup clash.
Donegal Youth League 3 Inishowen Youth League 2
The windy conditions at The Moss marred the contest as a spectacle, but it was Eamon McConigley’s Donegal who had the edge.
Greene pounced following a calamitous moment in the Inishowen rearguard. Greene tucked home after Inishowen’s rearguard made a complete hash of things and it proved the winner as Donegal held on.
Inishowen had the better of the play in the second half, but couldn’t put Donegal to bed.
Donegal had led 2-1 at the break, but Pat Loughrey drew the Inishowen men level, only for Greene to swing the pendulum one last time.
It was Inishowen who took the lead after just seven minutes. Conor O’Donnell floated a cross towards Finn McLaughlin, but O’Donnell’s ball flighted all the way in unaided, past Eoin O’Boyle, the Donegal goalkeeper.
Five minutes later, O’Donnell was on target at the other end. Under pressure from James Carolan, who contested a low, powerful cross from the right, but O’Donnell put through his own goal.
Inishowen had early chances with Loughrey flying wide and Cade Cooke firing into the side netting and Paul Doherty’s team could have hit the front again, but Cooke couldn’t hit the target after being fed by Loughrey.
After Dominick Doherty was denied by O’Boyle, Loughrey hit the crossbar while Carolan’s wind-assisted attempt also careered off the woodwork.
Donegal edged in front when Jonah Serrinha finished from a Conor O’Donnell free.
O’Boyle saved from Brendan Doherty and Carolan stabbed off target down the other end before Inishowen got level again in the 67th minute.
Donegal were seething when a John Timlin free came off the bar and Domick Doherty was allowed nod back across goal for Loughrey to head into the top corner.
Sub Darren McElwaine was thwarted by Coyle as Donegal sought a way back, but Inishowen had the better of the chances. After good approach work by Adrian Donaghey-Doherty and Patrick Curran, Dominick Doherty shot wide.
Seven minutes from time, Greene got in for the killer third and seal the deal for Donegal.
Donegal Youth League: Eoin O’Boyle, Darren Ferry, Dylan Neil, Keelin Bogle, Ruairi Dennehy, Jonah Serrinha (Ryan Higgins 81), Ryan Toye, Conor McHugh, James Carolan (Justin McGee 88), Conor O’Donnell (Darren McElwaine (57), Darragh Greene (Ethan Coll 85).
Inishowen Youth League: Ryan Coyle, David Doherty, Keith McColgan, Jake Harkin, Conor O’Donnell, John Timlin, Dominick Doherty (Keegan Hegarty 83), Finn McLaughlin, Cade Cooke (Adrian Donaghey-Doherty 76), Brendan Doherty (Patrick Curran 76), Pat Loughrey.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin.
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