Ulster U21: Donegal see off Derry
Gaelic football
EIRGRID ULSTER U21 FOOTBALL QUARTER-FINAL: DONEGAL 0-14 DERRY 2-7
By Chris McNulty in Ballybofey
Donegal are through to the Ulster U21 semi-finals after doing just enough to see off Derry. Goals by Niall Loughlin and sub Ruairi McElwee appeared to give Derry the edge.
Donegal had pushed themselves well clear, but were rocked back on their heels in the 44th minute when Loughlin fired to the net from close range.
Niall Toner scorched past the Donegal defence soon after and his ball in was fumbled before McElwee steered home. But Donegal found the answers as a brace of frees by Stephen McBrearty in added time saw them fall over the line.
Both teams finished with 14 men as Derry’s Meehaul McGrath and Donegal’s Stephen McMenamin were both sent off after collecting second yellow cards. Despite were without forward of the prowess of Darach O’Connor and Rory Carr.
The hosts opened brightly with Jamie Brennan and Conor Doherty to the fore and they led 0-9 to 0-3 at the break.
A real feature of the first half was Caolan McGonagle’s free with the big Buncrana man scoring two magnificent efforts from distance at a time when Derry were asking questions.
Kieran Gillespie, the Donegal full-back blocked well from Jason Rocks and Danny Tallon hit the crossbar with a mishit shot.
Scorers for Donegal: S McBrearty 0-4 (4f), C McGonagle 0-3 (2f), J Brennan 0-3, A McClean 0-1, C Bonner 0-1, C Doherty 0-1, C Mulligan 0-1
**Scorers for Derry: **N Loughlin 1-1 (1f), R McElwee 1-0, D Tallon 0-2, N Toner 0-2, J Donaghy 0-1, T O’Brien 0-1
**DONEGAL: D Rogers; J O’Brien, K Gillespie, C Morrison; E Gallagher, C O’Donnell, E McGrath; S McMenamin, C McGonagle; A McClean, S McBrearty, M Carroll; C Doherty, J Brennan, C Bonner. Subs: **D Monagle for McGrath (38), C Mulligan for Bonner (38), C Thompson for Doherty (46), N Friel for McClean (51), A McGinley for O’Donnell (55), J Scally for O’Brien (60).
DERRY: C McCloy; N Keenan, C McDevitt, O Hegarty; M McEvoy, E McGill, J Rocks; J Bradley, M McGrath; D Tallon, T O’Brien, J Donaghy; N Toner, N Loughlin, P Hagan. **Subs: **R McElwee for McDevitt (38), C Convery for Donaghy (38), R Lee for McEvoy (42), T McCrossan for McGill (59)
Referee: N McKenna (Monaghan).
