All-Ireland Masters semi-final between Donegal and Sligo ends in farce

What could have been a very good All-Ireland semi-final descended into farce at the Sligo Centre of Excellence at Scardaun on Thursday night, but in the end possibly the best result was arrived at - a replay.

The game had just about everything - and not all of it good. The referee Declan O’Boyle must take some of the blame but he was not helped by the fact that he had no neutral linesmen. A couple of very harsh overcarrying decisions against Donegal in the opening half and a controversial penalty award on the stroke of half-time set the tone.

Donegal players and officials spent some time remonstrating with him after the half-time whistle and it may well have worked as Donegal got a couple of calls in the second half. In between there were some pretty heavy challenges as the players vented their frustration. James Leonard of Sligo was sent to the line for a second yellow in the final quarter.

Then when Donnacha Gallagher levelled for Donegal two minutes into added time at the end of the game, the light was fading fast. After some discussions between the managements, it was decided to play three, yes three, minutes each way of extra-time and then penalties would  decide.

After the six minutes of extra-time was played, both sides had added a point, but by that stage some order was restored when it was decided there wasn’t enough light to take penalties. It was by far the best decision of the night.

The first half ended with Sligo leading 1-6 to 0-6. The first eight points were shared with Sligo leading four times and Donegal responding each time. Danny Beck, James Leonard, Daniel Davey and Kenneth Sweeney had the Sligo points while Benny Boyle, Damien Browne (free), and Brian McLaughlin twice for Donegal.

Michael Moyles and James Leonard opened a two point gap before Shaun Maguire hit back for Donegal.

Then came the controversial penalty as Johnny Lynch scored a point. There had been an over the shoulder hand pass to Lynch but when the referee consulted with the umpires he awarded a penalty for a late tackle on the Sligo player. It was an unusual call but Sligo took advantage with Christy Kelly firing low to the corner.

On the stroke of half-time Ciaran Scanlon cut the lead to 1-6 to 0-6.


Eunan Keaveney in possession for Donegal against Sligo Picture: Thomas Gallagher

Donegal were fired up for the second half but they found the Sligo defence difficult to break down. Kenneth Sweeney and Martin Donaghy traded scores as did Sweeney and Damien Browne before Tony Taylor pushed Sligo four clear on 42 minutes.

Benny Boyle and Damien Browne frees halved the lead but Sligo were almost in for a second goal after a great run from Brian Curran. Donegal ‘keeper Karl O’Brien brought off a game-saving stop to deny John Marren, but from the ‘45’ the ball broke to Christy Kelly to put Sligo 1-10 to 0-10 ahead again.

But Donegal were not to be denied and Benny Boyle, their outstanding performer, fired over two points before Donnacha Gallagher’s equaliser.

In the extra-time played Kenneth Sweeney and Donnacha Gallagher were the scorers.

There will be plenty of interest in the replay when it is arranged but the authorities must make sure that there are neutral linesmen to keep order and any evening game should be fixed for a 7 pm start to allow for extra-time, etc.

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Donegal scorers: Benny Boyle 0-4,1f; Damien Browne 0-3,2f; Donnacha Gallagher, Brian McLaughlin 0-2 each; Martin Donaghey, Shaun Maguire, Ciaran Scanlon 0-1 each.

Sligo scorers: Christy Kelly 1-1,1-0pen; Kenneth Sweeney 0-3,2f; James Leonard 0-2; Johnny Martyn, Danny Beck, Daniel Davey, Michael Moyles, Tony Taylor 0-1 each.

Donegal: Karl O’Brien; Joe O’Donnell, Eamon Ward, Conor McShane; Aaron Thompson, Gary Dunnion, Martin Donaghey; Damien Browne, Brian Doherty; Benny Boyle, Brian McLaughlin, Eunan Keaveney; Gerard McBrearty, Shaun Maguire, Stephen Coyle.

Replacements: Ciaran Scanlon, Nicky McGarrigle, Donnacha Gallagher, Laurence McMullan, Stephen McGlynn, Leon Thompson, Eamon J McHugh, Aidy Britton, Michael Canning, Pauric Connaghan, Gavin Doherty, Stephen Doherty, Hugh Foy, Patrick Doohan, Gary Gillen, Ronan Kennedy, Ronan Lowther, Kevin McBrearty, Gavin McConnell, David McShane, Diarmuid Slevin, Martin Mooney, Steven Nairn, Barry Nelis.

Sligo: Darren Kearns; Aodhan Brennan, Ross Donovan, Colin Neary; Danny Beck, Brian Curran, Kevin Gallagher; Tony Taylor, Johnny Martyn; James Leonard, John Marren, Daniel Davey; Johnny Lynch, Ian Rossiter, Christy Kelly.

Replacements used: Michael Moyles, Kenneth Sweeney,  James Lawrence, Thomas Cryan, Aodhan Brennan.

Referee: Declan O’Boyle (Mayo)