Donegal put up a fight but inaccuracy cost them against Down in final quarter

An understrength Donegal bowed out of the Ulster championship in a tame affair against Down at Newry.

Down 2-13    Donegal 1-11

Donegal had their chances with 12 wides to their credit. Despite being so short, they did put in a spirited performance and still had a chance coming down the home straight, but poor shooting didn’t help and Down then pulled away at the end.

Donegal lined out with two debutants - Mark Curran and Caolan McColgan - and the number was three after just 15 minutes when Luke McGlynn replaced Michael Langan, who pulled up with a hamstring problem.

There was a lack lustre feel to the game despite Donegal hitting an opening goal after two minutes, 25 seconds. A long ball from Langan was fumbled by two Down defenders and Jason McGee took full advantage to steal in and fire to the net.

Michael Langan was short with a free before a Conor O’Donnell turnover was punished when Pat Havern pointed a free on eight minutes.

Dáire Ó Baoill responded with a good score but a quick free saw Ryan Johnston cancel that out. Caolan Ward came forward for a rare score and a three point lead but Down were back on terms on 20 minutes, Liam Kerr with a deft pick up got space in the Donegal defence and took full advantage to finish well past Shaun Patton.

Pat Havern pointed a free to put Down ahead for the first time on 23 minutes but Dáire Ó Baoill levelled for Donegal with the point of the first half.

Donegal had a second goal chance on 27 minutes when Stephen McMenamin robustly cut out a Down attack and Caolan McGonagle made a great break. He found Conor O’Donnell but his effort was saved by Niall Kane in the Down goal. The ball broke to McGonagle following up but his first time effort was deflected out for a ‘45’

Ryan Johnston edged Down ahead again on 32 minutes from a mark but two minutes later Shaun Patton converted a ‘45’ to leave it all square at the break, 1-4 each.

Patton had earlier missed a ‘45’ and was also wide with another on the stroke of half-time.

There was a goal chance at either end in the opening minutes of the second half. Caolan Ward went full length to deny Daniel Guinness with Eoghan Bán tidying up on the line. The ball went up field and Caolan McColgan was denied by Daniel Magill.

Caolan Ward won a free for Ciaran Thompson to point but almost immediately Daniel Guinness got through to equalise.

Jason McGee had a bad wide and Down went ahead when  Ryan Johnston converted another mark. Eugene Brannigan put them two ahead for the first time in the contest on 44 minutes.

A minute later Down were in control when Ryan Johnston was pulled down for a penalty and Pat Havern converted.

Conor O’Donnell had a Donegal point in reply and Ciaran Thompson converted a free to cut the lead to three. Dáire Ó Baoill cut it to two but Pat Havern responded with a free after Liam Kerr was fouled. Danny Magill had it out to four with a good score on 57 minutes but Conor O’Donnell replied with a looping point.

Jason McGee had it down to two points with nine minutes left and two minutes later Oisin Langan cut it the minimum. Gallen looked he was fouled seconds later but it wasn’t given and Down broke for Pat Havern to draw a soft free, which Andrew Gilmore converted.

Ciaran Thompson was off target after Oisin Gallen won a free. Patton was also wide from a free before Daniel Guinness came forward to push the lead to three.

Donegal had a half goal chance before Down went upfield for Conor Poland to fist an insurance point and Andrew Gilmore sealed the win with a minute left.

Down scorers: Pat Havern 1-3,pen,3f; Liam Kerr 1-0; Ryan Johnston 0-3,2m; Andrew Gilmore 0-2,1f; Daniel Guinness 0-2; Danny Magill, Eugene Brannigan, Conor Poland 0-1 each.

Donegal scorers: Jason McGee 1-1; Dáire Ó Baoill 0-3; Conor O’Donnell, Ciaran  Thompson (1f)  0-2 each; Caolan Ward, Oisin Gallen, Shaun Patton (45) 0-1 each

Down: Niall Kane; Pierce Laverty, Anthony Doherty, Shane Annett; Danny Magill, Niall McParland, Miceal Rooney; Daniel Guinness, Ryan McEvoy; Ceilum Doherty, Ryan Johnston, Liam Kerr; Donach McAleenan, Pat Havern, Eugene Brannigan.

Subs: Conor Francis for Annett (50); Andrew Gilmore for E Brannigan (53); Shealan Johnston for R Johnston (60); Conor Poland for N McParland (65); Gerard Collins for McAleenan (70)

Donegal: Shaun Patton; Mark Curran, Brendan McCole, Caolan Ward; Caolan McColgan, Stephen McMenamin, Eoghan Bán Gallagher; Caolan McGonagle, Jason McGee; Dáire Ó Baoill, Michael Langan, Ciaran Thompson; Hugh McFadden, Jamie Brennan, Conor O’Donnell.

Subs: Luke McGlynn for Langan (15); Oisin Gallen for H McFadden (46); Kieran Tobin for C Ward (50); Rory O’Donnell for McMenamin (65); Kane Barrett for L McGlynn (70)

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare)