Donegal 2-11
Derry 0-15
DONEGAL WITHSTOOD A fierce late rally from Derry before prevailing in tonight’s Cadbury’s Ulster U21FC semi-final in Healy Park in Omagh.
With senior star Patrick McBrearty kicking 0-5, Donegal lead 2-10 to 0-10 entering the final quarter. But Derry, inspired by Ryan Bell and Aaron Devlin, kept battling as they trimmed the deficit and Bell saw his late goal-bound shot smash against the crossbar.
Donegal held on to reach their first final in this grade since 2010 when a team managed by Jim McGuinness and that featured Michael Murphy, won the provincial honours. They will meet Cavan, the team they defeated in that decider three years ago, in the final.
Odhran MacNiallais found the net in the 9th minute to give Donegal an early boost but the teams were tied at 1-5 to 0-8 at the break.
However Donegal hit the net again shortly after the interval through Caolan Ward and that helped them create a sizeable lead by the third quarter mark. The Oak Leaf county fought back before Donegal ultimately prevailed.
Scorers for Donegal: Patrick McBrearty 0-5 (0-2f), Odhran MacNiallais, Caolan Ward 1-0 each, Conor Gibbons 0-2, Ryan McHugh, Leon Kelly, Martin O’Reilly, Darach O’Connor 0-1 each.
Scorers for Derry: Ryan Bell 0-6 (0-6f), Aaron Devlin 0-3, Christopher Spiers 0-2, Ciaran Conway, Fintan Bell, Conor Kearns (0-1f), Ciaran McFaul 0-1 each.
DONEGAL: Peter Boyle (Aodh Rua); Kevin McFadden (Cloughaneely), Ciaran Cannon (Letterkenny Gaels), Gavin Gallagher (Sean MacCumhaill’s); Pauric Carr (Kilcar), Martin O’Reilly (Sean MacCumhaill’s), Luke Keeney (Four Masters); Caolan Ward (St Eunan’s), Ryan McHugh (Kilcar); Leon Kelly (Glenswilly), Odhran MacNiallais (Gweedore), Conor Gibbons (St Eunan’s); William Gillespie (Naomh Colmcille), Patrick McBrearty (St Eunan’s), Eoin McHugh (Kilcar).
Subs: Darach O’Connor.
DERRY: Christopher Bradley (Greenlough); Gareth McKinless (Ballinderry), Peter Quinn (Magherafelt), Declan Brown (Ballinderry); Karl McKeague (Slaughtneil), Conor McAtamney (Swatragh), Joe Morgan (Kilrea); Kieran Conway (Ballinascreen), Ryan Dougan (Glenn); Nathan Rocks (Newbridge), Ryan Bell (Ballinderry), Ciaran McFaul (Glenn); Fintan Bell (Ballinderry), Aaron Devlin (Ballinderry), Christopher Spiers (Magherafelt).
Referee: M McNally (Monaghan)
Cavan’s Gerard Smith tackled by Michael Monan and Jerome Johnston of Down. INPHO/PRESSEYE/William Cherry
Cavan 1-12
Down 0-6
REIGNING CHAMPIONS CAVAN reached their fourth successive Cadbury’s Ulster U21 football final placing with a comfortanle semi-final victory overDown in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh tonight.
The Breffni County, who have won the last two titles, were far too strong for the Mourne men. Cavan exploded from the blocks and lead by 0-9 to 0-2 at the interval with Enda O’Reilly and Jack Brady excelling up front.
They essentially settled the issue shortly after half-time when Paul O’Connor fired home the only goal of the game. Danny Savage tried to keep Down in touch but they could never overhaul their opponents who ran out winners by a 9-point margin.
Scorers for Cavan: Enda O’Reilly 0-5 (0-3f, 0-1 sideline), Paul O’Connor 1-0, Michael Argue, Jack Brady 0-2 each, Fergal Flanagan, Turloch Mooney, Conor Gilsenan (0-1 ’45) 0-1 each.
Scorers for Down: Danny Savage 0-4 (0-3f), Jerome Johnston (0-1f), Michael Bagnall 0-1 each.
Cavan: Conor Gilsenan; Jason McLoughlin, Killian Clarke, Ciaran Brady; Daragh McVeety, Daragh Sexton, Feargal Flanagan; Brian Sankey, Michael Argue; Paul Graham, Chris Conroy, Turloc Mooney; Enda O’Reilly, Paul O’Connor, Jack Brady.
Down: Michael Cunningham; Michael Hughes, Ruairi Lively, Denis Murtagh; Ryan Johnston, Ciaran McCartan, Darragh O’Hanlon; Conor Gough, Colm Maginn; Jerome Johnston, Matty Bagnall, Shay McArdle; Niall Madine, Danny Savage, Michael Monan.
Referee: C O’Hagan (Tyrone)
