Donegal minors go down to Cavan in Ulster Championship semi-final in Breffni Park

Donegal minors are out of the Ulster Championship after going down to Cavan in Kinspan Breffni Park on Saturday evening.

Ahead by a point at half-time Cavan started the second half very strong and a goal from Nathan Quigley put them on their way. Donegal tried hard to get back on terms but Cavan were worthy winners in the end.

Jake Brady had the opening two points for Cavan inside two minutes but Jamie Gavigan and Shane Sweeney had Donegal on terms by the sixth minute.

Donegal were guilty of a number of turnovers and Mark Reilly punished one of them, getting the last touch to a high ball into the Donegal square. Donegal had a chance at the other end after a Tomás Carr lofted effort before Nathan Quigley pointed a free for Cavan.

Donegal were back on terms again on 14 minutes when Joseph Gibbions pointed a free won by Callum McGilloway and Shane Sweeny pointed from play.

Tomás Carr edged Donegal two clear with a superb two pointer into the slight breeze. Cathal Smith and Gibbions traded scores. Faolan Graham cut the Donegal lead  to the minimum from a free before Donegal had a great goal chance on 23 minutes.  A kick-out was palmed on and Shane Sweeney was in on goal. He found Joe Doherty but his effort was saved by the Cavan 'keeper. It fell to Shane Sweeney but he was also denied at the expense of a '45'.

Joseph Gibbions added a free for Donegal after a late tackle but Cavan were back on terms when the referee awarded them a free on the edge of the 40m arc and 'keeper Cian McConnell stroked it over.

Donegal got the final point of the half on 31 minutes when Jack Gallagher got in to fist over and leave Donegal ahead by 0-9 to 0-8 at the break.

Harry McMullen had  Cavan level inside a minute of the restart and Nathan Quigley pushed them ahead from a free. Kalvin McLaughlin did very very well to get Donegal back level but they had a lucky escape at the other end when ‘keeper Cian McConnell went for a two pointer but it dropped short and Donagh Lynch got a touch but it went just over the bar.

Thomas Lenehan, in at half-time, won a free for Joseph Gibbions to level again on 37 minutes but then Cavan struck for the first goal of the game. A long ball over the top found Nathan Quigley and he showed great composure to get space and fire to the net.

Shane Sweeney was wide with a 20m free but Joseph Gibbions landed a point but was just inside the 40m arc.

Two quick points from Senan and Cathal Smith pushed Cavan four clear by the 47th minute. Jamie Gavigan hit a big point for Donegal but they were suffering on kick-outs.

Cian McConnell landed a free for Cavan and the aptly named Sam Maguire pushed the lead out to six with five minutes left.

Jamie Gavigan landed a two pointer as Donegal went for goals and two pointers but were not able to make any further impression.

Sam Maguire fired over for Cavan in the first minute of added time and sent his side to the Ulster final.

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Cavan scorers: Jake Brady 0-2; Cian McConnell 0-3,f,tpf; Faolan Graham 0-1,f; Mark Reilly 0-1; Cathal Smith 0-2; Nathan Quigley 1-2,2f; Harry McMullen 0-1; Michael Smith 0-1; Senan Smith 0-1; Sam Maguire 0-2

Donegal scorers: Joseph Gibbions 0-5,3f; Tomas Carr 0-2,tp; Shane Sweeney 0-2; Jamie Gavigan 0-4,1tp; Jack Gallagher,  Kalvin McLaughlin 0-1 each.

Cavan: Cian McConnell; Danny Brady, Shea Brady, Andrew Smart; Michael Smith, Harry McMullen, John Donohoe; Sam Maguire, Faolan Graham; Mark Reilly, Jake Brady, Cathal Smith; Donagh Lynch, Nathan Quigley, Rory Dolan.

Subs: Dylan Brouder for Dolan  (16); Senan Smith for M Reilly (44); Jay Graham for Donohoe (47);  Joseph Crowe for D Lynch (56); CJ Fitzpatrick for C Smith (60)

Donegal: Ronan O’Donnell (Dungloe); Christopher O’Donnell (Dungloe), Jamie Gavigan (MacCumhaill’s), Daithi Molloy (Naomh Conaill); Cathal Doherty (Letterkenny Gaels), Evan Daly (St Eunan’s), Conor Farrell (Naomh Conaill); Kalvin McLaughlin (Carndonagh), Cathal McGee (Gaoth Dobhair); Joe Doherty (Urris), Tomás Carr (Four Masters), Joseph Gibbions (Aodh Ruadh); Shane Sweeney (Ardara), Jack Gallagher (Cloughaneely), Callum McGilloway (Letterkenny Gaels).

Subs: Thomas Lenehan for J Doherty (ht); Danny McCready for McGilloway (44); 

Referee: Enda Mallon (Armagh)