Donegal minors crush Down in Newry curtain-raiser

A ruthlessly clinical Donegal simply annihilated a very poor Down side in the curtain raiser at Pairc Esler. 

Down 0-7 Donegal 3-18 

And if the seniors were watching they could take some encouragement on seeing a very good display of all that’s good in Gaelic football. 

For the reigning Ulster League champions were never bothered by a most tepid challenge from the home side who were totally outplayed in all sectors. 

For Donegal, Shane Callaghan was simply sublime on the 40 and posted an impressive 1-6 while Conor McCahill finished with 1-3. 

Wing back Luke Clerkin was imperious and his Donegal had a whirlwind start and had a stunning 1-2 on the board after just two minutes and fifteen seconds. It all began when centre forward Shane Callaghan was fouled, and Dylan Mulholland pointed the free. 

Immediately from the kickout, Donegal struck with lethal effect as the darting Jack Hegarty, son of the legendary Michael speared through the Down defence and cracked a sublime left-footed shot to the net. Shell-shocked Down responded with a pointed free from Rian Magorrian, but it was a brief respite, 

And they added three more from the classy Shane Callaghan and Conor McCahill to ease into a 1-6 to 0-1 lead by the 16th minute. Donegal were totally on top and Down were roasted by the searing pace and accuracy of Callaghan. 

And the scores came swiftly from Conor McCahill, John James Sweeney and Callaghan. Down had another pointed free from Magorrian but there was no stopping the green and gold tide. But Down could have been further behind as Mulholland found himself free on the edge of the square. But his blasted effort was superbly saved by Down keeper Niall Howlet. 

However, it got even worse for the badly outgunned Mourne boys when a clever fisted pass from the excellent Clerkin found McCahill who blasted the ball to the Down net. 

Mulholland closed out the half from a pointed free in the 30thminute as Donegal were not flattered by their 2-13 to 0-2 half time lead. But a physically smaller Down offered very little resistance to Luke Barrett’s well-drilled side. 

Callaghan piled on more misery with a coolly finished goal and a point in the opening two minute of the half. That set the tone for a real canter in the park for Tír Chonaill. 

Luke Barrett had the luxury of bringing off key players like Callaghan, Barrett, Mulholland and Lorcan McGee as the bench got a chance to shine. Magorrian was a lone solider up front finishing with a total points tally of 0-6 with Jameie McFerran adding another from play. 

Meanwhile, Mulholland and McCahill had further points with John James Sweeeny hitting a great effort from 40 yards. Overall a fine victory but this was a surprisingly exceptionally poor Down side. But Donegal’s impressive run continues. 

Down scorers: Rian Magorrian 0-6,4f; Jamie McFerran 0-1.

Donegal scorers: Shane Callaghan 1-6,2f; Conor McCahill 1-3,1f; Jack Hegarty 1-0; Dylan Mulholland 0-4,3f; John James Sweeeny 0-2;  Luke Clerkin 0-1, Oisin Scanlon 0-1, Donal Gallagher 0-1.  

Down: Niall Howlett; Keelan Toner, Cathal Keenan, Daniel McMahon; Luke Rafferty, David Leggatt, Darren Doherty; Dara McAleenan, Luke Quinn; DJ Farrell Darragh Poland, Ben Cassidy; Barra McEvoy, Rian Magorrian, Jamie McFerran (23). 

Subs: Patrick Woods for Ben Cassidy (22), Corey Clerkin for Luke Rafferty and Tadhg O’Hanlon for Darragh Poland (h-time), Darragh Saulf for David Legget (45) Caolan McPoland for DJ Farrell (47). 

Donegal: Padraig McBride; Donal Gallagher, Jordi Gribben, Callum McCrea; Finbar Roarty, Darragh Hennigan, Luke Clerkin; Oisin Scanlon, Lorcan McGee; Jack Hegarty, Shane Callaghan, John James Sweeney; Dylan Mulholland, Conor McCahill, Gavin Doherty. 

Subs: Eoghan Scott for Shane Callaghan (40), Ronan Maher for Luke Clerkin (41), Eoin Gallagher for Gavin Doherty (42), Jack Gallagher for Lorcan McGee (50), Danny Brown for Dylan Mulholland (53).  

Referee: James Lewis (Fermanagh).