Ulster ‘A’ Minor
Hurling League
Derry v Donegal
Banagher, Saturday, March 15
Result: Derry 3-13: Donegal 1-12
DONEGAL minors and their management team can take
many positives from the performance in Banagher on
Saturday. After an unsettled first quarter when they
went a goal and a point behind Tom Clare’s boys
dominated the rest of the first half, scoring 8
unanswered points. Three points each from Tom Clare
Junior and Óisín Rooney as well as points from Eddie
Lynch and Conor Griffin left the visitors ahead 9
points to 1-02 at half time. The home team were the
happier to hear the 30th minute whistle as Donegal
had got into an excellent rhythm as the half
proceeded.
The only real disappointment came in the third
quarter when, after points from Tom Clare and Conor
Griffen had extended the visitors’ lead, Derry hit a
purple patch and Donegal lost focus. The home team
scored 6 quality points and two well-taken goals
before the Inis Eoghain and Tír Chonaill boys
rallied in the final fiveteen with a point from Sam
Doherty and a goal from Cathal Doherty.
The strong Banagher breeze acted as a sixteenth
player.
Manager Tom Clare felt the game was there for the
taking. He added that the spirit of digging deep
promises well for days ahead, especially for the
game he is most focussed on, the All-Ireland
championship opener against Roscommon in August.
When the minors first entered Ulster ‘A’ two years
ago five points was the highest score a Donegal team
could muster. Things are progressing. All but six of
this squad are eligible next year.
Donegal: David Ireland, St. Eunan’s; Ciarán Ramey,
Aodh Rua; Steven Doherty, St. Eunans; Shaun Curran,
Mac Cumhaills; Kyle McGrath, Burt; Eugene Drummond,
Aodh Rua; Eddie Lynch (0-2), Aodh Rua; Justin
McBride, Setanta; Óisín Rooney (0-3), Aodh Rua; Sam
Doherty (0-1), Buncrana; Conor O’Grady, St. Eunans;
Tom Clare (0-4), Buncrana; Paul Nelson, Buncrana;
Conor Griffen (0-2), Mac Cumhaills; Brendan Gill,
Aodh Rua; James Doherty, Buncrana; Declan McCarron,
Buncrana; Cathal Doherty 1-0), Carndonagh; Matthew
Porter, Carndonagh; Donal Sweeney, Aodh Rua; Óisín
Roper, Aodh Rua; David Doherty, Buncrana; Macauley
Carr, Buncrana. |
