Donegal U17 Hurlers got off the mark in their Celtic Challenge campaign yesterday with a three-point win over Mayo at Glencar, Manorhamilton in a closely fought encounter. Donegal came into the fixture disappointed following a three point loss tp a strong Tyrone side last Saturday and Adie Gaffey’s side badly needed a win to get their Celtic challenge back on track.
Match Report
Donegal 4-6 3-6 Mayo
Playing with the wind Donegal were first on the board with a long-range point from captain Donal Farrelly soon after the throw in. Mayo would settle into the game first with strong defending and a goal from centre forward Colm Enright, Donegal did respond with a pint from play, but it was Mayo who would score another goal and pint leaving Donegal trailing 0-2 to Mayo’s 2-1 after 20min. Donegal responded well with superb defending from Colm Toner Killian Barr and Michael Doogan getting on top of the dangerous mayo Full forward line. Donegal middle third fought hard, and an opportunity opened for full forward Cian Mckenna to net, he would add another point from a placed ball bringing Donegal right back into contention. Mayo fought back and Colm Enright goaled again. Not to be outdone and a super pass from Donal Farrelly Thomas McMenamin found the net leaving Donegal one pint up at half time. 2-5 to Mayo’s 3-1.
On the restart Mayo’s ever-dangerous Colm Enright shot on goal and Brendan Carroll made the save of the match. Donegal added another point from Donal Farrelly and a placed ball from Cian McKenna. Mayo responded with Eoin Conway and Aidan Cunningham points from play. On 52minutes Mayo’s Aidan Cunningham goaled taking Mayo two points clear. Donegal under pressure and on 54 minutes sub Altan McDermott netted on his first touch to take Donegal one clear. With the game very much in the melting pot, on 29minutes Colm Enright equalised with a long-range point from play. With ordinary time up Noah Reid won the Donegal puc out and delivered a quick ball to the full forward line, Cian McKenna, capitalised on the pass and found the net for the second time to put Donegal three clear. Mayo tried hard for the remaining injury time minutes, but it was Donegal who succeeded with a 4-6 to 3-6 win.
Donegal: Brendan Carroll, Michael Doogan, Colm Toner, Killian Barr, David Horgan, Daire Tully, Ben McDaid, Shane Ellison, Aidan McKinney, Cormac McGinn, Donal Farrelly, Brendan Gaffey, Thomas McMenamin, Cian McKenna, John Kealy. Eoghan Walsh for Cormac McGinn 40min, Altan McDermott for Brendan Gaffey and Noah Reid for Thomas McMenamin 54min.
Mayo: Stephen Reilly, Conor Ketterick, Rory Dean, Dylan Groarke, Sean Keadin, Ryan Finn, Jack Glavey, Sean McGee, Matthew Connor, Aiodan Cunningham, Colm Enright, Cathal Gilfoyle, Eoin Conway, Colin Duffy, Thomas O’Reilly, Lee Hennigan for Colin Duffy 50min.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Sun 17th Apr
