FOR THE FIRST time in 11 years, and for only the fourth time in the county’s history, Donegal will be member of the senior duo contesting on All-Ireland football final day.
They qualified for that showpiece with one of the great semi-final displays of power, pace and scoring touch as they cruised past Meath with 20 points to spare.
Oisín Gallen, Ciarán Moore, and Conor O’Donnell slotted home the goals in the second half to confirm the Ulster champions had secured safe passage to a final clash against Kerry.
Meath had brought novelty with their thrilling journey through the summer, but after taking down Dublin, Kerry, and Galway, they discovered that Donegal were an opponent of a higher calibre who blew them away.
Meath’s Ciarán Caulfield and Oisin Gallen of Donegal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
The first half saw Meath hit by setbacks. They lost their imposing midfielder Bryan Menton through injury in the 20th minute, while the nine wides they amassed and the one shot dropped short, captured the tale of a team who were forcing shots and struggling to hit full speed in attack.
Gratitude was owed to goalkeeper Billy Hogan. Hugh McFadden gathered a high ball before half-time after a Caolan McColgan point attempt hit the upright, McFadden swivelling and shooting for goal, only to be blocked by the alert Hogan.
Earlier Conor O’Donnell cut through and unleashed a left-foot shot but defender Donal Keogan did excellently to scramble back before clearing.
Meath’s Billy Hogan saves a shot from Hugh McFadden of Donegal. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Michael Murphy, who knocked over five points in the opening half, blazed over another goal opportunity off his left as Donegal’s flowing team moves unlocked the Meath defence to fashion a 0-13 to 0-8 interval advantage.
Eoghan Frayne and Ruairi Kinsella hit impressive two-pointers from play for Meath in the opening half. They trailed 0-7 to 0-6 after 24 minutes and were 0-11 to 0-8 adrift nearing the break, but Donegal stretched five clear and that was more reflective of their superiority.
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In the second half Donegal unleashed the full force of their attacking might and there was an inevitable air about the game once they hit their first goal. Gallen’s 42nd minute shot was supremely struck after Shaun Patton bombed a long kickout that was gathered in space by Caolan McColgan who found the corner-forward.
Moore calmly finished home the second goal seven minutes later, a strike that capped a blistering team move after Finbarr Roarty produced a brilliant turnover deep in defence.
Gallen planted the ball across goal for Conor O’Donnell to sidestep the Meath cover and net Donegal’s third strike in the 58th minute.
The finale was a chastening experience for Meath as their summer ended on a dispiritingly low note. Donegal kept the scoreboard ticking over with captain Patrick McBrearty striking three points from play off the bench, while midfielder Michael Langan brought his tally to four before the finish, as they marched into the decider in stunning fashion.
Meath players dejected after the game. Bryan Keane / INPHO
Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO
Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-6 (1 2pt free, 0-1f), Conor O’Donnell 1-3, Oisín Gallen 1-2, Ciarán Moore 1-1, Michael Langan 0-4, Patrick McBrearty 0-3, Ciarán Thompson 0-2, Shaun Patton 0-1 (0-1 ’45), Peadar Mogan 0-1, Ryan McHugh 0-1, Shane O’Donnell 0-1, Dáire Ó Baoill 0-1.
Scorers for Meath: Eoghan Frayne 0-5 (1 2pt play, 0-1f), Keith Curtis 0-3, Ruairí Kinsella 0-3 (1 2pt play), Seán Rafferty0-1, Conor Duke 0-1, Jordan Morris 0-1, Mathew Costello 0-1 (0-1f).
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Donegal cruise into All-Ireland final with 20-point victory over Meath
Donegal 3-26
Meath 0-15
FOR THE FIRST time in 11 years, and for only the fourth time in the county’s history, Donegal will be member of the senior duo contesting on All-Ireland football final day.
They qualified for that showpiece with one of the great semi-final displays of power, pace and scoring touch as they cruised past Meath with 20 points to spare.
Oisín Gallen, Ciarán Moore, and Conor O’Donnell slotted home the goals in the second half to confirm the Ulster champions had secured safe passage to a final clash against Kerry.
Meath had brought novelty with their thrilling journey through the summer, but after taking down Dublin, Kerry, and Galway, they discovered that Donegal were an opponent of a higher calibre who blew them away.
The first half saw Meath hit by setbacks. They lost their imposing midfielder Bryan Menton through injury in the 20th minute, while the nine wides they amassed and the one shot dropped short, captured the tale of a team who were forcing shots and struggling to hit full speed in attack.
Gratitude was owed to goalkeeper Billy Hogan. Hugh McFadden gathered a high ball before half-time after a Caolan McColgan point attempt hit the upright, McFadden swivelling and shooting for goal, only to be blocked by the alert Hogan.
Earlier Conor O’Donnell cut through and unleashed a left-foot shot but defender Donal Keogan did excellently to scramble back before clearing.
Michael Murphy, who knocked over five points in the opening half, blazed over another goal opportunity off his left as Donegal’s flowing team moves unlocked the Meath defence to fashion a 0-13 to 0-8 interval advantage.
Eoghan Frayne and Ruairi Kinsella hit impressive two-pointers from play for Meath in the opening half. They trailed 0-7 to 0-6 after 24 minutes and were 0-11 to 0-8 adrift nearing the break, but Donegal stretched five clear and that was more reflective of their superiority.
In the second half Donegal unleashed the full force of their attacking might and there was an inevitable air about the game once they hit their first goal. Gallen’s 42nd minute shot was supremely struck after Shaun Patton bombed a long kickout that was gathered in space by Caolan McColgan who found the corner-forward.
Moore calmly finished home the second goal seven minutes later, a strike that capped a blistering team move after Finbarr Roarty produced a brilliant turnover deep in defence.
Gallen planted the ball across goal for Conor O’Donnell to sidestep the Meath cover and net Donegal’s third strike in the 58th minute.
The finale was a chastening experience for Meath as their summer ended on a dispiritingly low note. Donegal kept the scoreboard ticking over with captain Patrick McBrearty striking three points from play off the bench, while midfielder Michael Langan brought his tally to four before the finish, as they marched into the decider in stunning fashion.
Scorers for Donegal: Michael Murphy 0-6 (1 2pt free, 0-1f), Conor O’Donnell 1-3, Oisín Gallen 1-2, Ciarán Moore 1-1, Michael Langan 0-4, Patrick McBrearty 0-3, Ciarán Thompson 0-2, Shaun Patton 0-1 (0-1 ’45), Peadar Mogan 0-1, Ryan McHugh 0-1, Shane O’Donnell 0-1, Dáire Ó Baoill 0-1.
Scorers for Meath: Eoghan Frayne 0-5 (1 2pt play, 0-1f), Keith Curtis 0-3, Ruairí Kinsella 0-3 (1 2pt play), Seán Rafferty0-1, Conor Duke 0-1, Jordan Morris 0-1, Mathew Costello 0-1 (0-1f).
Donegal
1. Shaun Patton (St. Eunan’s)
2. Finnbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill), 3. Brendan McCole (St. Naul’s), 4. Peadar Mogan (St. Naul’s)
5. Ryan McHugh (Kilcar), 6. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), 7. Caolan McColgan (St Patrick’s Muff)
8. Hugh McFadden (Killybegs), 9. Michael Langan (St. Michael’s)
10. Shane O’Donnell (St. Eunan’s), 11. Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill), 12. Ciarán Moore (St. Eunan’s)
13. Conor O’Donnell (Carndonagh), 14. Michael Murphy (Glenswilly), 15. Oisín Gallen (Seán Mac Cumhaills)
Subs
Meath
1. Billy Hogan (Longwood)
2. Seamus Lavin (St Peter’s, Dunboyne), 3. Seán Rafferty (Na Fianna), 4. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill)
5. Donal Keogan (Rathkenny), 6. Seán Coffey (Ballinabrackey), 7. Ciaran Caulfield (Trim)
8. Bryan Menton (Donaghmore-Ashbourne), 9. Adam O’Neill (Wolfe Tones)
10. Conor Duke (Dunshaughlin), 11. Ruairi Kinsella (Dunshaughlin), 12. Keith Curtis (Rathkenny),
13. Jordan Morris (Kingscourt Stars – Cavan), 14. Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin), 15. Eoghan Frayne (Summerhill – captain)
Subs
Referee: Paul Faloon (Down)
*****
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Dominant Donegal GAA Meath