THE DREAMS of an all-Donegal Oscar Traynor Cup final have been dashed as the Donegal League were beaten in their semi-final today in Clare.
Donegal League 1 Clare District League 3
The Clare District League overcame Brian Dorrian’s Donegal, who were bidding to become the first Donegal League outfit to reach the final for the first time since Richie Kelly’s team won it in 1983.
Their hopes of reaching a final, with defending champions Inishowen in the other semi-final against Leinster Senior League in two weeks’ time, came to an end in agonising circumstances this afternoon.
A brace by Eoin Hayes, the second of them a penalty, came after Stephen Kelly’s early opener was cancelled out by Donegal’s Damien Crossan.
Donegal got off to a disastrous start as Clare hit the front after only three minutes when Kelly’s powerful strike from 20 yards was too much for Joe Coll, the Donegal goalkeeper.
On reflection, Coll will feel that he could have done better, but the former Manchester United youth goalkeeper’s reaction said it all as Kelly’s shot found the net.
Donegal shook the heads clear and were back on level terms ten minutes later.
Kildrum Tigers midfielder Crossan turned and fired home with his second touch, a classic goal from the St Johnston man.
However, the Donegal side fell behind again in the 40th minute as Hayes gave Coll no chance with a cracking finish from 12 yards.
However, it was a goal that was preventable from a Donegal point of view as Donegal’s defence got caught flat, with Hayes sneaking in around the back before applying the finish.
Twenty minutes from time, Clare got the all-important third goal. Coll was penalised for a foul on Daragh Corry and Hayes fire home the penalty.
Donegal League: Joe Coll, Jamie Boyle, Benny Bonner (Brian Lafferty), Ryan Gildea, Ryan Shields, Damien Crossan, Eoin Sheridan, Chris Malseed, Philip Whyte (Joey Cullen), Gary Merritt, Kyle Black (Darren Doran).
Tags:
