Donegal fall at semi-final stage as Armagh minors advance to Ulster decider

Despite only keeping Armagh to two scores in the second half, they were the two crucial goals that saw Aidan O’Rourke’s Orchard minor team advance to the Ulster final on a 2-8 to 1-7 scoreline in Ballyshannon. 

It was a case of what could’ve been if Donegal nailed over their 12 shots that all resulted in wides, but Barry Ward’s side were playing catch up from the off, with the home team not hitting their first score until the 19th minute and by that stage they were already trailing by six points. 

They were rejuvenated and found a pip in their step with ten minutes remaining in the game, but it was a bridge too far for them as Armagh marched out the victors. 

As they did for the majority of the match, Armagh were the better side from the off. After holding the ball for four minutes, Fionn Toale eventually let fire for a point but struck it wide. 

Donegal who were playing against a strong wind in the first half couldn’t build up a dangerous enough attack as Armagh’s defense remained solid. 

Daithi O’Callaghan opened the scoring after five minutes when he drove through the heart of the Donegal defense to slot over.

Armagh were clinical on the attack, capitalising on Donegal’s turnovers and could’ve had a goal a minute after their opening point when corner-back Tomás Fox was left unmarked as he drove in for goal but his shot off his right foot was too high as it sailed over the bar. 

Ross Marsden and Fionn Toale would fire over two points apiece, all from long range, to leave it 0-5 points to no score after 17 minutes. 

Donegal were in trouble and badly needed a score to settle matters. That eventually came on the 19th minute after Pauric Devine would make a vital interception and play it through to Tomas Carr who superbly spotted Donnchadh Boyle free inside the box with the Cloughaneely clubman shooting over for the point. 

O’Callaghan responded moments later with a point of his own to keep a nice distance between the teams, but Max Campbell and Alex Cunnea kicked over Donegal’s next two points from distance to narrow it down to a two-score game.  

Armagh were extremely patient on the ball as they played over and back across the field as they waited for the right moment to find gaps in the Donegal defense. That paid off with Keelan McEntee getting his first score on the 24th minute as he twisted and turned through the green and gold defense to fist over. 

The Orchard County kept their dominance as they held possession but failed to kick over anymore scores with their last three attacks ending in wides as the half was brought to an end with the scoreline standing at 0-8 to 0-3 points. 

The second half started in similar fashion to the first half, with both teams holding possession for long periods but failing to get a score on the board.  

Armagh would eventually strike first with the opening goal of the game on the 37th minute when Aaron Garvey launched a long ball one-on-one into midfielder O’Callaghan who fetched high in the air before turning to fire home into the net.  

Conor McCahill attempted to get Donegal back into the game with a long-ranged score, but that point was made irrelevant when James McCooe charged up the field with ease to get his side’s second goal when he slapped the ball into the back of the net after playing a one-two ball with Eoin Duffy to make it 2-8 to 0-4 points. 

Colm Ó Dochairtaigh would pull the scoreline back with a Donegal goal after a shot from Eoghan Gallagher which was blocked but fell into the half-forward's hands who slotted low into the corner of the goal.  

McCahill nailed his second of the afternoon from a free, while Gallagher slotted over a fine point off his right to bring it back to a five-point game with five minutes remaining as Barry Ward’s side upped the ante and began to apply pressure on Armagh. 

With four minutes of additional time added on, McCahill nailed over another free to put four between the teams, but Donegal couldn’t find that all important goal as Armagh ran out of Ballyshannon deserved winners on the day. 

Scorers – Donegal: Conor McCahill 0-3, 2fs; Colm Ó Dochairtaigh 1-0; Donnchadh Boyle, Eoghan Gallagher, Max Campbell and Alex Cunnea 0-1 each. Armagh: James McCooe and Jack Loughran 1-0 each; Ross Marsden, Daithi O’Callaghan, and Fionn Toale 0-2 each; Keelan McEntee and Tomás Fox 0-1 each. 

Donegal: Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride; Elliot Friel, Jordi Gribbin, Cathal Mac Aoidh; Pauric Devine, Cathal Ó Gallachoir, Max Campbell; Kalvin McLoughlin, Luke McGuinness; Alex Cunnes, Tomas Carr, Colm Ó Dochairtaigh; Conor McCahill, Donnchadh Boyle, Eoghan Gallagher. Subs: Paddy Ward for Boyle (40 mins); Eoghan Ban McNelis for McLoughlin (42 mins); Thomas McDevitt for Friel (50 mins); Gavin Sweeney for Cunnea (57 mins); 

Armagh: Michael Finnegan; Tomás Fox, Gavin O’Rourke, Conall Wilson; Fergus Toale, Sean Woods, Diarmaid O’Rourke; Jack Loughran, Daithi O’Callaghan; Aaron Garvey, James McCooe, Keelan McEntee; Fionn Toale, Eoin Duffy, Ross Marsden. Subs: Oisin Gribben for Marsden (46 mins); Shea Loughran for Garvey (47 mins); Aodhan McGrane for Woods (52 mins); Michael Walker for Toale (60 mins).  

Referee: James Lewis (Fermanagh)