Magnificent Donegal just too strong for Cavan in Ulster U-20 semi

After a cagey opening Donegal’s Seanán Carr got Donegal going and by the half-time whistle they were in total control of the game.

By the final whistle Donegal had prevailed by an 18 point margin and weren't flattered by the scoreline. It was one of the finest performances by a Donegal team in MacCumhaill Park in memory. Cavan were gifted an early goal by a stroke of fortune and they got a second goal on the stroke of time but in between the Donegal defence were supremely tight.

And once they got the ball on the front foot they were able to prise openings at will and had the game in the bag by half-time.

Niall Magee had a goal for Cavan on 11 minutes after a Matthew Smith effort came back off the upright, but it was the only time that Cavan threatened.

A Conor McCahill goal on 13 minutes had Donegal back in control 1-3 to 1-1. The second goal came after a quick move involving McCahill and Carr with Carr winning a penalty. His first effort was tame and was saved but the referee had it re-taken because the ‘keeper was off his line. Carr made no mistake second time around.

A two pointer from Sean Martin was followed by an emphatic third goal from Cian McMenamin and he followed up with a two pointer to leave Donegal 3-9 to 1-2 ahead at the break.

Seanán Carr was first on the board again in the second half after a great pass from Conor McCahill. Carr and Shane Callaghan added frees before the Bomb Squad arrived, four subs including county senior Finnbarr Roarty on 39 minutes.

Roarty announced his introduction with a trademark left-footed point while Cavan’s response was two Matthew Smith points. Kevin Muldoon kept the Donegal scoreboard ticking with a sweet ‘45’

Donegal were just too good with their defence in particular outstanding with Cavan unable to have any penetration. They closed out the game with a fourth goal from Dylan Mulholland. Conor Sharpe had a consolation goal for Cavan in the 60th minute.

Donegal will meet Tyrone in the final after the Red Hands defeated Derry also on Wednesday night. The final is set for Wednesday evening of next week.

Donegal scorers: Seanán Carr 1-6,pen,4f; Cian McMenamin 1-3,1tp; Conor McCahill 1-1; Dylan Mulholland 1-1; Sean Martin 0-2,tp; Kevin Muldoon 0-2,1'45'; Conor McGinty, Shane Callaghan (f), Finnbarr Roarty, Turlough Carr 0-1 each.

Cavan scorers: Niall Magee 1-1; Dylan Edwards 0-3,1tp; Conor Sharpe 1-0; Matthew Smith 0-2; Darragh Noonan 0-1.

Donegal: Padraig McBride (Gaoth Dobhair); Aaron Neely (Dungloe), Niall Prendiville (St Naul's), Cathal Rua O Gallchoir (Gaoth Dobhair); Max Campbell (Naomh Conaill), Callum McCrea (Four Masters), Conor McGinty (MacCumhaill's); Sean Martin (MacCumhaill's), Kevin Muldoon (Four Masters); Cian McMenamin (Termon), David Monaghan (Four  Masters), Mark McDevitt (Naomh Conaill); Conor McCahill (Four Masters), Shane Callaghan (Naomh Columba), Seanán Carr (Four Masters).

Subs: Finnbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill), Daithi Gildea (Glenswilly), Turlough Carr (Four Masters) and Dylan Mulholland (Buncrana) for Campbell, Callaghan, McDevitt and Monaghan (all 39); Fionn Coll (Milford) for McCahill (50).

Cavan: Lee Phillingham; Kyle McCabe, Jensen Tynan, Aaron Skekleton; Ben Tully, Evan Crowe, James Tully; Davin Graham, Matthew Costello; Dylan Edwards, Matthew Smith, Niall Magee; Cian Keaney, Lorcan Reilly, Cormac Galligan.

Subs: Darragh Noonan for Galligan; Oliver McCrystal for Graham (both ht); Luke Ellison for McCabe (39); Harry Boylan for Keaney (42); Conor Sharpe for L Reilly (53)

Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone)