RYAN MCHUGH BROKE Donegal hearts with an injury time winning goal for University of Ulster Jordanstown following a wonderful Dr McKenna Cup opener
Donegal 4-13 UUJ 2-20
With UUJ two points down, Frank Burns played the ball across the Donegal square on 71 minutes and McHugh slapped past Danny Rodgers in the Donegal goal and barely broke into a smile as he got off the ground and trundled back up with field.
In an entertaining contest from start to finish, Donegal scored first half goals through Eoghan Bán Gallagher and an excellent Micheál Carroll effort, following a flowing move.
Fifteen minutes from time, substitute Brendan McCole blasted home a fantastic third goal before another belter late on from Ethan O’Donnell.
Donegal were 2-8 to 1-9 up at half-time against Martin McHugh’s side, who lined up with Ryan McHugh, Lorcan Connor from Downings, Cloughaneely’s John Fitzgerald and Patrick McBrearty – who scored seven points in all – all starting against their native county. Eoin McHugh was named but was a late withdrawal prior to throw-in.
With Declan Bonner taking control of the early season competition, a fresh-faced Donegal, who were made up of the Under-21 panel, were decent in possession to begin with and inventive in their forward excursions.
After the home side had opened the scoring through Niall O’Donnell’s point before conceding a goal at the other end somewhat against the run of play.
Daire Gallagher found the ball at his feet just in front of goal following a pass from Rory McGlone and shot past an advancing  Rodgers in the Donegal goal.
McBrearty then shot UUJ into a 1-1 to 0-1 lead before Donegal got back on terms through a goal from Eoghan Bán Gallagher.
The Killybegs native was persistent. His first attempted pass to Gavin McBride was short and intercepted by full-back Ricky Johnston, who fumbled and McBride then played in Gallagher for a simple goal on nine minutes.
Scores continued to be traded at both ends, with a number of eye-catching efforts, which was a testament to the abilities of both teams on the second weekend in January.
Daire Ó Baoill and Eoghan Bán Gallagher raised white flags for Donegal and Connor and Barry Grant registered for UUJ.
Carroll’s goal on 27 minutes brought Donegal back on terms at 2-5 to 1-8 and it was marvelously constructed. A flowing move saw Niall Friel, O’Donnell and Carroll all involved. Langan flicked the ball to Carroll who slapped over Sean Fox in the UUJ goal.
Two Gavin McBride points – one of which might’ve been a goal as he punched just over – gave Donegal the lead and a fabulous point from Langan at the end of the first half with the outside of the boot showed the confidence that was running through the young Donegal side.
James Kearney opened the second half scoring to take UUJ back to within a point. However, Donegal’s response was again praiseworthy, with McBride and Carroll – the two Gaoth Dobhair clubmen – pointed at the Town End.
UUJ managed to get back on terms, though, at 1-13 to 2-10 by the 45th minute with McBrearty scoring twice and Rory McGlone also on the mark.
McBride levelled by with Frank Burns coming off the bench to take the right-footed frees for UUJ, it looked as the away team would eek their way to a narrow win.
Donegal, though, had other ideas and from another daring move – this time with Langan, Daniel Gallagher and McBride playing their part – the ball was laid off to McCole, who opted for the shot early and smashed into the top corner from 21 metres. It put Donegal 3-11 to 1-15 in front.
UUJ got back level again through two more points from Burns but again, Donegal’s response was instant. Carroll and O’Donnell pointed to give the majority of the 795 in attendance something to cheer.
Again, though, there were swings and roundabouts. Ronan McAlinden and then a Ryan McHugh point tied things up again with just six minutes to go.
Donegal might’ve panicked there and then but once more the manged to pull a rabbit from the hat. O’Donnell, who picked up a pass from Langan, struck another great goal from distance to put Donegal 4-13 to 1-19 up with just for minutes to play.
It looked as though that would be enough to win it for Donegal. However, Ryan McHugh had other ideas. All in all though, a great game of football.
Donegal: Danny Rodgers (Dungloe); Danny Monagle (Carndonagh), Stephen McMenamin (Red Hugh’s), Conor Morrison (St Eunan’s); Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Killybegs, 1-1), Niall Friel (Gaoth Dobhair), Daire Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair, 0-1); Tony McClenaghan (Moville), Micheál Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair, 1-2); Christian Bonner (Na Rossa), Michael Langan (St Michael’s 0-1), Niall O’Donnell (St Eunan’s 0-3); Conor Doherty (Kilcar), Gavin McBride (Gaoth Dobhair, 0-4, 3f), Jamie Brennan (Bundoran). Subs: Brendan McCole (St Naul’s 1-0) for Friel (49), Daniel Gallagher (Naomh Ultan) for Bonner (51), Ethan O’Donnell (Naomh Conaill, 1-0) for Brennan (54), Adam Neely (Dungloe) for McBride (60), Ciaran Diver (Moville) for Doherty (65) Daniel Clarke (Naomh Colmcille) for O’Donnell (70)
UUJ: Sean Fox; Ruairi Kelly, Ricky Johnston, Cathal Boylan; Ryan McHugh (1-1), Barry Grant (0-2), Gareth McKinless; Niall McKeever (0-1), Rory McGlone (0-1); James Kearney (0-1), Matthew Walsh, Lorcan Connor (0-1); Patrick McBrearty (0-7, 3f), Niall Madine (0-1, 1f), Daire Gallagher (1-0). Subs: Damien McKeown for McKinless (28, black card), Frank Burns (0-4, 3f), Ronan McAlinden (0-1) and Jack McCann for McKeever, Walsh and Gallagher (all half-time), John Fitzgerald for Grant (48),
Shane McGahon for Connor (65),
Referee: Conor Doureen (Cavan).
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