DONEGAL’s All-Ireland Bord Gais Energy U-21B hurling campaign fell by the wayside when they went down to Mayo at O’Donnell Park on Saturday.
Donegal 1-6 Mayo 1-14
Sean Regan was the star turn for the Westerners, who are managed by Brian Finn and John Regan, having scored five fine points from play throughout the course of the hour.
Donegal, on the other hand, competed well but were wasteful in front of the posts, having missed 11 frees over the course of the contest.
Mayo had the wind in the first half and went in 0-8 to 0-3 in front, with Fergal Boland showing his proficiency from placed balls.
Donegal manager Paddy Flood wouldn’t have been too downtrodden with that first half, with his side having made the step-up following a 1-11 to 0-11 win over Tyrone in the final of the All-Ireland U-21C competition some two three weeks beforehand.
However, the second half didn’t start so well for Donegal with Corey Scahill goaling for Mayo before Conor Harkin was dismissed for two yellow cards.
Donegal did fight on and with 10 minutes to go trailed 1-10 to 0-5. Bernard Lafferty scored a goal from a 21-metre free on 52 minutes and Mayo lost Ciaran Finn, their captain, to a second yellow card.
Mayo now take on Meath in the semi-finals following their Royal County’s 2-15 to 1-17 win over Kerry. The other semi-final will see Wicklow face Roscommon. Wicklow came though an entertaining tie with Kildare on a 2-14 to 0-18 scoreline, while Roscommon received a walkover victory over Armagh.
The final is fixed for Semple Stadium on Saturday, September 12.
Donegal: Dylan Laverty; Ciarán Rami, Conor Griffin (0-1), Mark Callaghan; Conor O’Grady, Dónal McLaughlin, Oisin Rooney; Conor Harkin, Stephen Doherty; Sean Curran, Kevin Meehan (0-1), Conor McNeely; Bernard Lafferty 1-1, (1-1f), Conor Grant, Eddie Lynch (0-1). Subs: Sam Doherty (0-1) for McNeely (half-time), Colm Melaugh (0-1) for Curran (42), Conor Parke and Conor Griffin for Grant and Meehan (48), Rory Cullen for Lafferty (54).
Mayo: Davóg Freyne; Adam Henry, Shane Geraghty, Conor Murray; John Judge, Ciaran Finn, Matthew Flannery; Art O’Sullivan, David Kenny; Zak O’Toole (0-2), Fergal Boland (0-5, 4f), James Gallagher; Corey Scahill (1-1), Sean Regan (0-5), Shane Nugent. Subs: Sean Kenny (0-1) for Nugent (44), Eamonn Kennedy for Judge (55)
Referee: Eamon Hasson (Derry).
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