Donegal defeat Derry by two points to reach Ulster SFC final
Saturday 27 June 2015 21:48, UK
Donegal are through to their fifth successive Ulster SFC final after grinding out a 1-9 to 0-10 win over Derry in Clones.
The sides were level at 0-5 apiece at the interval but Donegal outscored their opponents by 1-4 to 0-1 in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
The goal arrived on 45 minutes through Martin O’Reilly, who was a late inclusion in the Donegal line-up. He profited from some superb fielding and build-up play by Neil Gallagher and rounded Derry goalkeeper Thomas Mallon to give his side a five-point lead.
Derry recovered well, hitting the game’s next three points, but they lost their composure in the closing stages and had both Brendan Rogers and Ciaran McFaul black-carded.
Both sides created decent goal chances during an enthralling first half. Enda Lynn was denied by Paul Durcan within seconds of the throw-in and Neil McGee cleared the ball off the line on seven minutes after Eoin Bradley beat Durcan in the air.
Donegal looked to have taken control of the game by hitting three successive points, Paddy McBrearty scoring a quick-fire brace and Christy Toye punishing a defensive error, but Derry hit back with three unanswered scores themselves.
Caolan O’Boyle was causing problems for Eamonn McGee and he scored a good point after patient play, and Mark Lynch levelled matters after Donegal were caught dallying in attack.
A superb Colm McFadden score was instantly cancelled out by Chrissy McKaigue, and Mallon was called into action on 32 minutes when Ryan McHugh’s long ball found Michael Murphy.
Murphy fisted the ball towards goal but he was denied by a superb save from the Derry goalkeeper.
Level at the break, McFadden quickly put Donegal back in front after holding off two defenders, and Murphy grabbed his first of the game from over 45 metres after Derry hit three successive wides.
Martin McElhinney put three points between the teams before the game’s decisive moment. Mallon could only pick out Gallagher from his kickout and he played a one-two with McElhinney before finding O’Reilly, who finished in style.
Donegal didn’t trouble the scoreboard again for 18 minutes and Derry responded with points from Lynch, O’Boyle and substitute Benny Herron.
Murphy and Lynn swapped points as the game remained in the balance, but Derry squandered a number of scoring opportunities late on.
Frustration got the better of the Oak Leafers as Rogers and Lynn were both black-carded for cynical fouls, the latter lucky not to receive red for his challenge on Ryan McHugh.
Donegal: P Durcan; P McGrath, N McGee, E McGee; M O’Reilly (1-0), K Lacey, F McGlynn; N Gallagher, M McElhinney (0-1); C Toye (0-1), O MacNiallais (0-1), R McHugh; P McBrearty (0-2, 1f), M Murphy (0-2), C McFadden (0-2).
Subs: M McHugh for McFadden (57), A Thompson for Toye (61), H McFadden for McElhinney (70), D Walsh for McBrearty (70).
Derry: T Mallon; O Duffy, B Rogers, D McBride; K Johnston, C McKaigue (0-1), C McFaul (0-1); N Holly (0-1), F Doherty; SL McGoldrick, M Lynch (0-2, 1f), E Lynn; D Heavron, E Bradley (0-2, 2f), C O’Boyle (0-2).
Subs: B Heron (0-1) for McGoldrick (46), L McGoldrick for Duffy (47), T O’Brien for Lynn (51), N Loughlin for Bradley (61), Lynn for O’Boyle (64), C McAtamney for Rogers (67, black card).
Ref: R Hickey (Clare).
