Congratulations to Buncrana who made history today by winning the first ever Ulster championship game to be decided by a penalty shootout, beating Rock St Patrick’s of Tyrone 4-3 in the shootout after the game ended 1-14 to 2-11 after extra time. If Buncrana take the scalp of Monaghan champions Blackhill – their quarterfinal also went to extra time ending the hopes of Cavan side Killinkere 1-14 to 2-9 – they will make another bit of history becoming the third Donegal team on the trot to win the Ulster Junior Championship following wins in 2017 by Naomh Colmcille and 2018 by Red Hughs.
The first score of the game – a Darrach O’Connor free – gave Buncrana an early lead but with the Tyrone champions scoring the next four points the Donegal representatives were playing catch-up of most of the game. A John Campbell goal and another O;Connor point early in the second quarter gave them a 1-2 to 0-4 advantage but Rock quickly hit back and led 1-4 to 0-8 at leath amá. The pattern through most of the second half seen Rock take the lead and pull Buncrana hit back but a strong finish by Buncrana saw them edge ahead and Caolan McGonagle moved them three points ahead in added time only for Rock to equalize with the last kick of the game to leave it 1-11 each. A Rock goal in the first half of extra time was the only score until three points in as many minutes as the game reached a conclusion brought on the historic penalty shoot-out.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Sat 2nd Nov
