THE DONEGAL MASTERS made their return to the field last night in the competitive surroundings of Killyclogher for the first Championship match of the year against Antrim.
Donegal 2-13 Antrim 0-7
Report: Christopher Doherty, PRO
A squad with great depth and experience throughout was at John Mc Nulty’s disposal and the men ran out comfortable winners in the end with an impressive scoring patch in the first half giving the team a good cushion. Every man on the squad got game time and will no doubt continue to push hard in the training.
Donegal’s Gerard McGrenra in action against Antrim in the Ulster Masters’ Championship last night in Killyclougher. Photos: Stephen Doherty
Donegal dominated the play in the first half and restricted Antrim to a single score which came on the cusp of half time. Martin Gillespie’s repertoire of kick outs were accurate all game and were won by David Mc Shane and Charlie Bonner who controlled the midfield or when necessary to the half backs.
The opening phase of the game involved both teams sussing each other out and attempting to apply their game plans. Four Masters man Benny Cassidy hit the first score of the game and the first of many to his personal tally of the evening after eight minutes and followed up with a free then soon after. Antrim tried to respond but another free and attempt went wide.
[adrotate group=”38″]Donegal soon had the ball in the back of the net after Sean Boyce found Benny Cassidy who offloaded to Gerard Mc Grenra of Glenswilly but the goal was ruled out by the referee.
At the 18 minute mark of the first half a Sean Boyce effort in hung in the air and eventually dropped into the arms of Gerard Mc Grenra who confidently slotted past the Antrim goalkeeper and Donegal had their goal and a five-point lead.
Benny Cassidy kicked five points for Donegal against Antrim in the Ulster Masters’ Championship last night
A minute later Donegal had their second goal of the game when goal scorer McGrenra turned provider for Eddie Gallagher and the lead was now eight points.
Exquisite play by Seán Mac Cumhaills duo Emmet McCormack and Sean Boyce saw the latter pointing over. Mc Grenra notched over another point on 22 minutes when his long range effort just about cleared the crossbar and Boyce added his second point of the game directly after it.
Donegal looked to have another score on the board when John Anthony Mc Mullan’s shot looked to be clean over but veered left. Antrim hit their first score of the half on 29 minutes.
Donegal were 2-5 to 0-1 up at half-time.
The second half had a different story to tell than the first half with a much rejuvenated Antrim roaring out of the blocks for the second half and improving on their scoring tally than the first. Gerard McGrenra added his second point of the game five minutes in and James Mc Bride was called into action to dive and block an attempt at goal. Donegal then went 11 minutes without recording a score with Antrim hitting four points in this period.
Sean Boyce broke the scoring deadlock on 16 minutes and the whole team soon upped the level of performance enhanced by the use of a strong bench. Martin Gillespie of Naomh Columba pulled off an excellent save to deny Antrim the chance of a goal and the introduced Johnny McGinty added his own point when he connected sweetly with a bouncing ball to guide the ball over.
Sean Boyce on the ball for Donegal against Antrim in the Ulster Masters’ Championship last night
Benny Cassidy added three more points with Sean Boyce contributing with a point again from play. Donegal went on to complete the scoring with five minutes to go after a Johnny McGinty diagonal ball found Paul Gallagher of Naomh Muire who slotted over. Antrim forced a goal mouth scramble before full time but the defence were on hand to deny any threats.
[adrotate group=”68″]Donegal Masters: Martin Gillespie; Charlie Doherty, Charlie Boyle, Ross Brady; James McBride, Kevin McGettigan; Michael McShane, David McShane; Charley Bonner, John Anthony McMullan, Gerard McGrenra (1-2); Eddie Gallagher (1-0), Benny Cassidy (0-5), Sean Boyce (0-4), Emmet McCormack. Subs: Val Murray, Kerry Ryan, Dan Branley, Paul Gallagher (0-1), Martin Mc Shane, Johnny McGinty (0.1), Stephen Wall, Charlie Gallagher, Joe Boyle, Shane McClafferty, Adrian McGettigan, Paul McGlynn.
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