Donegal and London Masters share spoils in Ruislip

Former Kilcar player, Michael Molloy landed a last-gasp free to salvage a share of the spoils for London’s Masters at McGovern Park on Saturday.

Donegal had hit the front in the first added minute through Damien Browne’s free, only for Molloy to ensure Kenny O’Connor’s side remain in with a chance of replicating their appearance in last year’s second-tier Shield final.

Defeat to Donegal would have dealt those aspirations a serious blow, but Molloy bisected the posts to make it one win and a draw for the Exiles from their opening four games.

Next up, they travel to Wicklow on 6 July before they close out the group stage against Armagh in London on 20 July. 

Molloy and Jonathan Douglas were both welcome returnees to the London side which had given Dublin a mighty scare last time out, although they’d have to make do this time without the influential Ciaran Deely.

Like London, Donegal arrived at Ruislip with one win from their opening three fixtures.

Molloy (free) and Mark Mulholland ensured the home side made the better start, only for London to then lose Brendan Friel to a black card.

Although Gerard McBrearty’s free got the visitors on the board, Donegal couldn’t take advantage and the Exiles had increased their lead to 0-4 to 0-1 by the time Friel returned to the fray, thanks to Paul McDermott and Molloy (free).

Ironically, Donegal played better against 15 London men and rattled off the next three scores courtesy of McBrearty, Stephen Coyle and Browne (free) to gain parity.

It was then Donegal’s turn to suffer a black card, and London capitalised to eke out the final two points of the half through Mulholland and Molloy (free).

Molloy’s free came after lovely build up play with captain Gary Kane playing Mulholland in on goal, only for Karol O’Brien to produce a magnificent save in the Donegal goal.

A foul in the lead up on Kane, however, allowed Molloy to make sure the home side didn’t leave emptyhanded.

Paul Gallagher on the ball for Donegal Masters in London Picture: Brendan Tiny Vaughan

Biggest lead

A low fizzing Mulholland strike within 60 seconds of the restart extended the London lead to 0-7 to 0-4.

When Molloy added another placed ball effort in the 38th minute the home side had their biggest lead of the match so far (0-9 to 0-5).

But before they could build on it, a sweeping Donegal move and excellent ball to the far post found Hugh Foy and he buried a shot past Ciaran McCann.

Although London did manage to increase the gap to two points through Joe MacMahon, three points on the spin saw Donegal lead for the first time in the match in the 50th minute (1-8 to 0-10).

But Molloy levelled and it was all to play for coming down the home straight.

Browne looked to have won it for Donegal when he fired over a 61st minute free, only for Molloy to hold his nerve three minutes later to land what proved to be the game levelling free, with the penultimate kick.

A dramatic end which only enhances the growing rivalry between the two sides, with London having edged Donegal in last year’s Shield semi-final meeting by 2-11 to 2-8.

The 2019 tier-one Loftus Cup and 2021 Shield winners had previously enjoyed the Indian sign over the Exiles, taking the honours at Barnet Lane in 2022 by a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-9.  

Donegal also came out on top, by 0-14 to 0-5, when the sides crossed paths at Greenford in 2018.

London: Frank Kane; Connor Mone, Damian Fitzpatrick, Thomas Gallagher; PJ Meehan, David Cannon, John Reddington; Gary Kane, Paul McDermott 0-1; Jonathan Douglas, Michael Molloy 0-6,5f, Mark Mulholland 0-3; Joe MacMahon 0-2,1f, Vinny Murphy, Brendan Friel. Subs: Ciaran McCann, Alan Mooney, Paddy Donaghy, Damian Harte, Maurice Hodnett, Ciaran Langford, Vivian Browne, Peter Downey, Mick Greene.

Donegal: Karl O’Brien, Paddy Joe Doohan, Eamon Ward, Enda Bonner; Aaron Thompson, Conor McShane, Steven Nairn; Damien Browne 0-3f, Brian Doherty 0-1; Hugh Foy 1-0, Stephen Coyle 0-2, Diarmuid Slevin; Gerard McBrearty 0-2,1f, Brian McLaughlin, Paul Gallagher 0-1. Subs: Eamon McHugh, Joe O’Donnell, John Doherty, Andrew McMorrow, David McShane, Benny Quinn, Gavin McConnell, Paul McCrudden, Barry Nelis.