By Charlie Collins at Croke Park
Donegal 0-15 v 1-14 Galway
Ten years after they shocked Dublin here in a semi-final Donegal were back in an All-Ireland semi-final against Galway who beat them at this stage in both 1974 and 1983.
Jim McGuinness led Donegal to All-Ireland glory in 2012 but stood down after the 2014 final defeat against Kerry. Ten years on and less than a year back in charge could he again lead his squad to an All Ireland final against Armagh in 2024?
Donegal Manager Jim McGuinness during Sunday’s semi final against Galway. Photo Evan Logan
Jason McGee and Caolan McColgan returned from injury to start and Aaron Doherty also took a place in the starting team. Galway’s captain Sean Kelly was unable to start but both Damien Comer and Shane Kelly were deemed fit enough to take their places.
Dylan McHugh opened the scoring for Galway in the third minute and as Donegal took time to get their game going, Rob Finnerty added a second in the sixth before Shane O Donnell kicked over Donegal’s first score a minute later. After a harsh call on Ryan McHugh for over carrying Shane Walsh converted a free for a foul in the next play, 0-03 to 0-01 after ten minutes.
Donegal finally began to find their feet and three quick from play by Ciaran Thompson, Micheal Langan and Oisín Gallen, all excellent efforts had them ahead for the first time, 0-04 to 0-03. Rob Finnerty replied to level things up at 0-04 apiece but Caolan McGonigle quickly put Donegal ahead again with a fine score and as play flowed from end to end Shane Walsh drew Galway level again from an acute angle, 0-05 apiece after twenty minutes.
Donegal’s Oisín Gallen turns for goal during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Then the game’s first goal and a big slice of good fortune as Paul Conroy’s poorly hit shot saw Damien Comer run across the view of Shaun Patton as the ball flew past the keeper into the net, Rob Finnerty converted a free and Galway led by four points, 1-06 to 0-05.
Donegal responded brillantly again with four points in a row from McBrearty, Thompson, Gallen and Langan, all square at 0-09 to 1-06 in the 32nd minute. Paul Conroy put Galway ahead again but Micheal Langan had the final say of the half with his third and Donegal’s tenth point to leave them level at the break, 0-10 to 1-07, probably a fair reflection on the first-half action and all to play for in the second-half to clinch that All-Ireland final spot.
Donegal’s Michael Langan during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Shane Walsh opened the second-half scoring from a free but Oisín Gallen replied immediately from play and then Shane O Donnell and Killian McDaid exchanged points as did Patrick McBrearty and Dylan McHugh, 0-13 to 1-10 as this cracker continued to flow up and down the pitch.
Donegal’s Dáire Ó Baoill looks for a way past Galway’s Matthew Tierney during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Liam Silke put Galway ahead but Patrick McBrearty’s free levelled it up again, 0-14 to 1-11. After an unusual scoreless period for this game, John Maher and a brillant Micheal Langan point left them level again. Another poor call by Referee Brendan Cawley handed Galway the lead, blowing Ciaran Thompson for a pick off the ground when it clearly wasn’t, Finnerty pointed the free and when Liam Silke got his second point they were two ahead as time ran out.
It finished 1-14 to 0-15 in Galway’s favour and Donegal’s great run in 2024 had ended and despite this disappointment a super 2024.
Donegal: Shaun Patton, Eoghan Ban Gallagher, Brendan McCole, Ciaran Moore, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle (0-01), Peader Morgan, Michael Langan (0-04), Ciaran Thompson (0-02), Jason McGee, Shane O Donnell (0-02), Caolan McColgan, Patrick McBrearty (0-03), Oisin Gallen (0-03), Aaron Doherty. Subs: Daire O Baoill for McColgan (29mins), Jeaic MacCeallbhui for Gallagher (47mins), Hugh McFadden and Niall O Donnell for McGee and McBrearty (59mins), Odhran Doherty for Aaron Doherty (63mins).
Galway: Conor Gleeson, Johnny McGrath, Sean Fitzgerald, Jack Glynn, Dylan McHugh (0-02), Liam Silke (0-02), Sean Mulkerrin, Paul Conroy (1-01), Cein Darcy, Matthew Tierney, John Maher (0-01), Cillian McDaid (0-01), Robert Finnerty (0-04), Damien Comer, Sean Walsh (0-03). Subs: Johnny Heaney for Darcy (57mins), Daniel O Flaherty for Walsh, John Daly, Kieran Molloy, Thomas Culhane. Brendan Cawley (Kildare).
Heartbreak for brilliant Donegal as they suffer defeat against Galway was last modified: July 14th, 2024 by