DONEGAL SCHOOLBOYS Under-15s began their SFAI Inter-League series with a fine 4-1 win over neighbours Inishowen at Dry Arch Park this afternoon.
Donegal Schoolboys 4 Inishowen Schoolboys 1
It was a come-from-behind win for the Kevin McHugh-managed Donegal, who had the game well within their grasp at the break.
After falling behind to an Adam Curran goal, Conor Black’s brace turned the tables and Ronan McKinley’s cool penalty had Donegal firmly in command before Patrick Ferry added another in the second half.
[adrotate group=”80″]Donegal could have won by more in the end up, but passed up on a few late chances, though they could scarcely have wished for a better start to the campaign.
Willie O’Connor’s Inishowen took the lead after 12 minutes when Curran finished neatly to the bottom corner after Luke Rudden’s initial shot came off a Donegal defender.
Inishowen had began the brighter with Rudden firing into the side-netting after doing well to get away from the shackles.
[adrotate group=”85″]Donegal, rocked by the concession of the goal to Curran, shook the heads clear and, after having one goal ruled out for an offside infringement, they drew level in the 18th minute.
Donegal did well to win possession back inside their own penalty area and Jason McDaid’s whipped ball forward sent Black on his way. Black shrugged off the advances of an Inishowen defender before firing past Ben Houghton from distance.
That came after Houghton saved with his legs from Kelan Collier, who was played in by Adam McCaffrey’s threaded pass.
[adrotate group=”83″]Curran tested Boyle, who also did well to save on the goal-line when defender Stephen Black inadvertently deflected an Inishowen free towards his own goal.
Conor Black – Stephen’s twin brother – shot Donegal ahead with a neat finish on 24 minutes and, just four minutes later, the home side were in front.
Jamie Doherty was tumbled in the area and McKinley made no mistake from the spot.
[adrotate group=”38″]McKinley was denied a fourth Donegal goal as Houghton got down to steer away after a sweeping Donegal move down the right channel.
Rudden tested Boyle on the re-start, while substitute Shay McLaughlin couldn’t get direction on his effort from the right-hand side.
Conor Black might’ve had a hat-trick but he turned over from close-range with Stephen Black closer still as his header cannoned off the crossbar.
[adrotate group=”53″]Donegal did add a fourth soon after, though, as Patrick Ferry got in on the act with a tidy finish in the 57th minute.
Donegal, energised by their effective use of the bench, put their feet on the gas in the latter stages and Ferry, after a devastating move, rolled inches wide of Houghton’s goal.
Ferry went close again, but headed wide with the finish line in sight. By then, the damage had been inflicted and McHugh – his left hand still heavily strapped after the incident that saw him sever a finger a couple of weeks ago – was away in delight.
Donegal Schoolboys: Ben Boyle; Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríd, Stephen Black, Carlos O’Reilly, Kyle McMullin; Jason McDaid, Adam McCaffrey, Ronan McKinley, Kelan Collier; Conor Black, Jamie Doherty. Subs used: Patrick Ferry, Frankie Campbell, Jack Murphy, Matthew McLaughlin, Adrian McLaughlin.
Inishowen Schoolboys: Brian Houghton; Joshua Gillen, Adam McCarron. Shane McDermott, Damien Duffy; Alex McCarron, Nathan Logue Cunningham, Adam Curran , Michael Grimley; Luke Rudden, Eoin McLaughlin. Subs used: James Loughrey, Ben Curley, Shay McLaughlin, Brian Moore, Conor Murray.
Referee: Liam McLaughlin
Tags: