Declan Bogue
Reports from O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny
Down 3-21
Donegal 1-21
THERE ARE DAYS when it feels like the magic of the Ulster championship can return you to boyhood days of wonder.
Down’s dismantling of Donegal in the Ulster quarter-final, a game in which they deserved everything they got, transported everyone in O’Donnell Park to a time when shocks could and would happen.
Maybe not everyone. The sight of Donegal fans streaming out of the Letterkenny venue a few minutes before the end felt strangely off. Did this team, this set of management, not deserve more than that?
But as soon as Miceál Rooney’s second goal arrived, following in a ball that Adam Crimmins attempted to fist over but didn’t quite make it, the exodus happened.
The first Ulster championship defeat on home soil under Jim McGuinness will sting, but it would be wrong to make that the central theme of any analysis.
The truth here was that Down came fully believing that they would believe. And if they didn’t, they had manager Conor Laverty shouting in all their faces as they left the dressing rooms to go onto the pitch, that they better start believing.
At half time they went back in. They had controlled the general play. They gave up a cheap goal when Conor O’Donnell’s shot ballooned up high and the break landed with Caolan McGonigle who shot to the net.
Four minutes later and Donegal were ahead. Miceál Rooney had a goal chance that went abegging. Even Laverty admitted afterwards that the thought crossed his mind it might be one of those days.
But back they came with points from Crimmins and as the seconds ticked away for the first half, Caolan Mooney had no time to dwell as he sliced a point over with the outside of his right boot to beat the buzzer.
Down a point up at the break. Nobody was expecting that.
The loss of Michael Langan will be a sore point for Donegal. He went over on his ankle last week. By Thursday, the news had reached Down and they were planning for that eventuality.
Last year, Langan shut down Odhran Murdock. Here, Murdock was the best player on the pitch, winning four kickouts cleanly in the second half alone as well as hitting three points from play.
After Donegal took their customary extra-long break at half-time, they were surprised to find that Down were even more up for it. On 42 minutes, Daniel Guinness got a little space on the 21 metre line and unloaded a rasping daisy-cutter than found the corner of Gavin Mulreany’s net.
A Pat Havern two-pointer came soon after and another inspirational point from Murdock. Suddenly they found themselves five points up. Nobody etc etc.
Donegal caught a bit of fire. Oisin Gallen started turning it on and with a Jason McGee two-pointer, they were level again on 56 minutes.
From this point on, Down outscored Donegal 2-5 to 0-6. Donegal looked gassed. While Michael Murphy put in a serious shift, his marker Ryan McEvoy was restricting his influence.
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But it wasn’t just that. Down played with a wild abandon. Not for them the torturous bull of building slow attacks. Instead they got the ball and got supporting runs ahead of the ball. They carved open a Donegal side that looked like they have put in a serious effort for a long time.
Watching Duracell Bunnies like Ryan McHugh, Ciaran Moore and Eoghan Bán Gallagher coming off was instructive.
As well as that, they forced Donegal into kicking seven wides in the first half. In the second half, the champions hit 0-14, two two-pointers among them but only one wide.
What’s more, Down turned Donegal over repeatedly.
By the time Rooney had his first goal, it felt like time was going to run out for Donegal.
Two minutes later, Rooney had his second.
And then it was time over. Down meet Armagh in Clones next Sunday. There’s a bandwagon firing up among the Mournes.
Scorers for Down: Pat Havern 0-7 ( 1x 2pt free, 5 frees), Miceál Rooney 2-0, Daniel Guinness 1-3, Adam Crimmins 0-4, Odhran Murdock 0-3, Ryan McEvoy 0-2 (2 pt play), Caolan Mooney, Ceilum Doherty 0-1 each.
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Down send shockwaves through the championship as they dump Donegal out of Ulster
LAST UPDATE | 26 Apr
Down 3-21
Donegal 1-21
THERE ARE DAYS when it feels like the magic of the Ulster championship can return you to boyhood days of wonder.
Down’s dismantling of Donegal in the Ulster quarter-final, a game in which they deserved everything they got, transported everyone in O’Donnell Park to a time when shocks could and would happen.
Maybe not everyone. The sight of Donegal fans streaming out of the Letterkenny venue a few minutes before the end felt strangely off. Did this team, this set of management, not deserve more than that?
But as soon as Miceál Rooney’s second goal arrived, following in a ball that Adam Crimmins attempted to fist over but didn’t quite make it, the exodus happened.
The first Ulster championship defeat on home soil under Jim McGuinness will sting, but it would be wrong to make that the central theme of any analysis.
The truth here was that Down came fully believing that they would believe. And if they didn’t, they had manager Conor Laverty shouting in all their faces as they left the dressing rooms to go onto the pitch, that they better start believing.
At half time they went back in. They had controlled the general play. They gave up a cheap goal when Conor O’Donnell’s shot ballooned up high and the break landed with Caolan McGonigle who shot to the net.
Four minutes later and Donegal were ahead. Miceál Rooney had a goal chance that went abegging. Even Laverty admitted afterwards that the thought crossed his mind it might be one of those days.
But back they came with points from Crimmins and as the seconds ticked away for the first half, Caolan Mooney had no time to dwell as he sliced a point over with the outside of his right boot to beat the buzzer.
Down a point up at the break. Nobody was expecting that.
The loss of Michael Langan will be a sore point for Donegal. He went over on his ankle last week. By Thursday, the news had reached Down and they were planning for that eventuality.
Last year, Langan shut down Odhran Murdock. Here, Murdock was the best player on the pitch, winning four kickouts cleanly in the second half alone as well as hitting three points from play.
After Donegal took their customary extra-long break at half-time, they were surprised to find that Down were even more up for it. On 42 minutes, Daniel Guinness got a little space on the 21 metre line and unloaded a rasping daisy-cutter than found the corner of Gavin Mulreany’s net.
A Pat Havern two-pointer came soon after and another inspirational point from Murdock. Suddenly they found themselves five points up. Nobody etc etc.
Donegal caught a bit of fire. Oisin Gallen started turning it on and with a Jason McGee two-pointer, they were level again on 56 minutes.
From this point on, Down outscored Donegal 2-5 to 0-6. Donegal looked gassed. While Michael Murphy put in a serious shift, his marker Ryan McEvoy was restricting his influence.
But it wasn’t just that. Down played with a wild abandon. Not for them the torturous bull of building slow attacks. Instead they got the ball and got supporting runs ahead of the ball. They carved open a Donegal side that looked like they have put in a serious effort for a long time.
Watching Duracell Bunnies like Ryan McHugh, Ciaran Moore and Eoghan Bán Gallagher coming off was instructive.
As well as that, they forced Donegal into kicking seven wides in the first half. In the second half, the champions hit 0-14, two two-pointers among them but only one wide.
What’s more, Down turned Donegal over repeatedly.
By the time Rooney had his first goal, it felt like time was going to run out for Donegal.
Two minutes later, Rooney had his second.
And then it was time over. Down meet Armagh in Clones next Sunday. There’s a bandwagon firing up among the Mournes.
Scorers for Down: Pat Havern 0-7 ( 1x 2pt free, 5 frees), Miceál Rooney 2-0, Daniel Guinness 1-3, Adam Crimmins 0-4, Odhran Murdock 0-3, Ryan McEvoy 0-2 (2 pt play), Caolan Mooney, Ceilum Doherty 0-1 each.
Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-7, (1x 2pt free, 0-4 frees), Oisin Gallen 0-5, Conor O’Donnell 0-3, Peader Mogan 0-2 (1x 2pt play), Shea Malone 0-2 (1x 2pt play), Jason McGee 0-2 (1x 2pt play)
Down
1. Ronan Burns (Drumgath)
2. Peter Fegan (Burren) 3. Pearse Laverty (Saul) 4. Callum Rogers (Kilcoo)
5. Caolan Mooney (RGU Downpatrick) 6. Shane Annett (Mayobridge) 7. Daniel Guinness (Carryduff)
8. Odhran Murdock (Burren) 9. Ryan McEvoy (Kilcoo)
10. Miceál Rooney (Kilcoo) 11. Ceilum Doherty (Kilcoo) 18. John McGeough (Carryduff)
13. Adam Crimmins (Mayobridge) 14. Pat Havern (Saval) 19. Pearse McPolin (Drumgath)
Subs:
15. Liam Kerr (Burren) for McGeough (45m)
20. Finn McElroy (Longstone) for Fegan (49m)
24. Jamie Doran (Ballycolman) for Mooney (58m)
21. Ryan Magill (Burren) for McPolin (61m)
25. Ruairí McCormack (Warrenpoint) for Rogers (67m)
Donegal
1. Gavin Mulreany (St Naul’s)
2. Caolan McColgan (Muff) 3. Brendan McCole (St Naul’s) 4. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar) 6. Caolan McGonagle (Buncrana) 19. Finbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill)
8. Jason McGee (Corduff) 9. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs)
10. Shane O’Donnell (St Eunan’s) 21. Ciaran Moore (St Eunan’s) 12. Peader Mogan (St Naul’s)
13. Conor O’Donnell (Carndonagh) 14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly) 22. Oisin Gallen (Sean MacCumhaills)
Subs:
17. Daire Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair) for Moore (41m)
7. Max Campbell (Naomh Conaill) for McHugh (46m)
18. Mark Curran (Dungloe) for Gallagher (59m)
15. Shea Malone (Naomh Conaill) for Gallen (60m)
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
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Donegal Down GAA Gaelic Football Shock Ulster Championship