Donegal minors came back from the brink to defeat Antrim with a fine second half comeback at O’Donnell Park today in the Ulster Minor League.
Donegal 2-13 Antrim 3-8
The turning point was perhaps a 34th minute save by the Donegal goalkeeper Sean Taylor, who brilliantly thwarted the advances of Tiernan McAteer at point-blank range.
A goal then and Antrim, who were 2-5 to 1-1 ahead at the time, would have surely been out of sight.
Jamie Gribbin added a point from play, but then came Donegal’s revival.
Aaron Doherty and Oisin Gallen landed points before the Tir Chonaill men netted in the 41st minute as Aaron Doherty superbly set up Keelan McGroddy, who made no mistake with a fine finish.
With Doherty (3), Gallen (3), Ryan McMahon and Lanty Molloy on target, Donegal managed to squeeze through despite Cormac Scott riffling in a third Antrim goal four minutes from the end.
Antim had netted twice in as many minutes in the first half.
First, Donegal netminder Taylor didn’t control a long ball into the danger zone and Tiernan McAteer pounced to blast to the net from close range.
A minute later, Donegal fell further behind. Referee Anthony Marron penalised Aaron Doherty for a footblock after Sean Duffin was in on goal, following another angled deliver into the area.
While Malachy Doherty fired wide, referee Marron ordered a retake as Taylor advanced from his goal-line. The drama continued as Taylor saved the second penalty, but Dermot McErlaine hammered home from the rebound.
In added time at the end of the half, Gallen swung over a free, but Donegal trailed 2-4 to 1-1 at the interval.
Antrim had began well with McErlaine, Eoin Nagle (2) and Jack Lenihan posting points for a 0-4 to no score lead by the 16th minute, after a scorless opening ten minutes.
Donegal had a goal chance in the third minute. Doherty’s clever fisted pass put Brian O’Donnell in, but Antrim ‘keeper Michael Byrne was equal to it with an excellent save.
Donegal’s first score didn’t come until the 18th minute, as Gallen drilled his penalty to the top corner after Keelan McGroddy was fouled, but they did the business in the second half.
Donegal: Sean Taylor; Michael McGroary, Aaron Deeney, Karl McGlynn; Ryan McMahon (0-1), Luke Gavigan, Paul Murphy; Ronan Doherty, Conor O’Donnell; Niall Hannigan, Paddy Dolan, Aaron Doherty (0-4); Brian O’Donnell (0-1), Oisin Gallen (1-5), Keelan McGroddy (1-0). Subs: Colin McFadden for Hannigan (39), Lanty Molloy (0-1) for Dolan (39), Shay Doherty (0-1) for R.Doherty (39), Finn Gallagher for C.O’Donnell (59), Oisin Purdy for Gallen (60), Conor McHugh for B.O’Donnell (60).
Antrim: Michael Byrne; Marius Donnelly, John Toner, Aidan Mulholland; Malachy Doherty, Jack Lenihan (0-1), John McCaffrey; Ethan Gibson, Joe Maybin; Eoin Nagle (0-2), Ronan Kelly (0-2), Jamie Gribben (0-1); Tiernan McAteer (1-0), Sean Duffin, Dermot McErlaine (0-2). Subs: Declan Smith for Donnelly (42), Keelin McCann for Maybin (43), Declan Smyth for McCaffrey (46), Cormac Scott (1-0) for Duffin (46), Jamie McCann for Doherty (54), Ronan Fagan for Gribben (57).
Referee: Anthony Marron (Monaghan).
