Donegal 4-18 Cork 0-12
The local GAA schedule got under way last Sunday at Gaelic Park. The senior match between Cavan and Sligo was cancelled due to Manhattan University having to play a rescheduled softball game. Meanwhile the first game in the senior football league pitted Donegal against Cork. This was also the first occasion for the new rules to be applied in a local competition. Thus the 13-a-side format coupled with the rule changes confluenced to produce a fast-flowing encounter. Both teams adapted well, plus the sideline brigades were relatively quiet, apart from too many managerial excursions on to the playing field. It would also be helpful if teams used the traditional team sheets to depict their lineouts.
In the opening segment Cork had the better of the exchanges, but Donegal were not making it easy for the Rebels to get their shots off. Cork did win a scoreable free, but the chance was lost when the kicker stole the few extra yards. Some wayward kicking and stray passes fluffed a few more chances. Then on a counter attack Donegal looked on target for a goal but the ball was scooped off the goal line. However, on the 10-minute mark Sean Conroy registered Donegal’s first point. That was quickly followed by a great individual effort by Peter McNiffe, who would go on to have a very fine game for Donegal.
Ger McCullagh got Cork’s first point after a good delivery from Ryan Scanlon. However at this stage Donegal were taking control of the game, transitioning from solid defense to attack at pace. Points flowed over from Tiernan McLoughlin(2) and Emmett Loughren plus Cork escaped when another goal-bound effort was cleared off the line. Ger McCullagh landed a fine point but it did little to slow down Donegal as they hit back with three minors courtesy of Conroy, Loughren and Gallagher. Cork did stage a brief rally with long-range scores from Bryan Twomey and Ryan Scanlon. Donegal’s two best players, a goal from Loughren and a point from McNiffe finished the scoring for the first period to leave Donegal leading by 1-9 to 0-6 at the break.
Ten minutes after the restart Donegal killed off the game as a contest. Emmett Loughren and Marc Lennon hit points before a defensive error gifted Loughren a goal. Donegal were now in full attack mode as Marc Lennon and Sam McCabe hit over two while Cork were nearly under consistent siege, though Colin O’Connor and Louis Boyd did interrupt the scoring spree. Donegal would coast to the finish line by striking two more goals courtesy of Matthew Gallagher and Ruairi Slaing. Cork’s Colin O’Connor, Ryan Scanlon and Ger McCullagh did add points but Donegal were rarely troubled. On this occasion Donegal were a faster and fitter squad reinforced by some potent finishers, most notably Emmett Loughren, Peter McNiffe and Tiernan McLoughlin. Cork played second fiddle apart from the opening quarter, but catching the eye most often were Ger McCullagh, Colin O’Connor, Ryan Scanlon and Bryan Twomey.
Donegal: Conor Tinney, Kevin McConnell, Darragh Toal, Kaelan Walsh, Stephen O’Quigley, Ruairi Slaine, Peter McNiffe, Marc Lennon, Matthew Gallagher, Emmett Loughren, Sean Conroy, Kevin Luane, Tiernan McLoughlin.
Subs: Sam McCabe, Peter McNeilis
Cork: Timmy Kayne, Cormac Reidy, Enna Barry, Matthew Crowley, Column Failan, John Conefrey, Phil O’Shea, Bryan Twomey, Lorcan Kennedy, Ger McCullagh, Colin O’Connor. Subs Alan Donohoe, Conor Reilly, Garry Lowney. Referee Mike Burke.
WEEKEND RESULTS
FROM IRELAND
Ulster SFC quarter-final
Tyrone 1-24 Cavan 0-20
Armagh 1-34 Antrim 1-23
Leinster SFC quarter-finals
Louth 2-16 Laois 0-17
Meath 1-25 Offaly 0-21
Dublin 2-21 Wicklow 0-18
Kildare 2-17 Westmeath 0-21
Christy Ring Cup round 1
Derry 1-21 Donegal 1-17
Wicklow 1-24 Tyrone 2-16
London 5-18 Meath 0-21
Nickey Rackard Cup round 1
Armagh 1-13 Fermanagh 0-15
Mayo 1-21 Roscommon 1-14
Sligo 0-20 Louth 0-15
Lory Meagher Cup
Cavan 4-32 Warwickshire 1-11
Monaghan 2-13 Leitrim 0-9
Longford 4-21 Lancashire 0-16
