Brilliant second-half spurs Donegal to Buncrana Shield victory over Down 

Donegal U-16s put in a fine second-half display to claim a three-point Buncrana Cup Shield final win over Down at the Scarvey. 

Donegal 1-12 Down 2-6

Donegal had found themselves five in arrears at the end of the opening period.  And it was the Mourne lads’ ability to find the back of the net that was the telling difference at the end of the first-half as they led 2-5 to 0-6. 

Down’s first and last scores of that first 30 minutes were three-pointers as Darragh Poland twice hit the back of the Donegal net to impressively bookmark their five points in between. 

Ciaran McLaughlin, Ulster Council chairman, presents Donegal captain Max Campbell with the winners shield

The hosts did have chances themselves to raise green flags but passed up on at least three solid openings inside that first period. 

James Hanlon, from a well converted ‘45, had lobbed the visitors into an early four-point lead before Donegal got off the mark through the very impressive Conor McCahill (free). 

Conor Ward then responded for Down but another McCahill free meant 1-2 led 0-2 after five minutes. 

Charlie McGrath increased Down’s advantage but a Donegal brace, through Donnachadh Ó Baoill and McCahill once more after great showing out in front, meant three points remained the gap ten minutes in. 

Down then responded with a double of their own thanks to Poland as they went 1-5 to 0-4 clear. McCahill, once again a brilliant outlet inside for direct ball, offloaded to the inrushing Turlough Carr but with Down regrouping, the latter sensibly fisted over the crossbar.

But another poor lapse in concentration late on in the half allowed Poland in for another goal. And while McCahill did clip a late free, Down remained firmly in the driving seat at the changeover as they led 2-5 to 0-6.   

The second half was a full ten minutes old before we were treated to a score. Not surprisingly, it was Donegal’s Carr taking matters into his own hands there. Poland replied with a free as Down kept Donegal at a five-point arm’s length. 

However, a super Ronan Maher over seemed to spur Donegal. And with McCahill hammering in a brilliant goal moments later, suddenly the margin was back to just a single point. 

Sensing Down were wobbling, substitute Cillan Doyle would square matters from a free while on 55 minutes home wingback Cian Gavigan kicked Donegal ahead for the first time. 

Going into the final minute McCahill was again the man winning first-time ball as he set up Carr to double Donegal’s new found advantage. And with Doyle landing the insurance point in added time, Donegal were crowned worthy Shield winners. 

Donegal scorers: Conor McCahill 1-5,2f; Cian Gavigan 0-1; Ronan Maher 0-1; Donnachadh O Baoighill 0-1,1f; Cillian Doyle 0-2,2f Turlough Carr 0-2. ; 

Down scorers: Darragh Poland 2-3,1fJames O’Hanlon 0-1,1’45; Conor Ward 0-1; Charlie McGrath 0-1.

Donegal: Cian O'Connell (Ardara); Aidan Quinn (Four Masters), Cathal Ó Gallachoir (Gaoth Dobhair), Fionn McGinty (MacCumhaills); Cian Gavigan (Four Masters), Max Campbell (Naomh Conaill), Dallan Ó Baoill (Gaoth Dobhair); Luke McGuinness (St Eunan’s), Turlough Carr (Four Masters); Garvey Meade (Aodh Ruadh), Eoin Gallagher (Naomh Brid), Ronan Maher (Pettigo); Donnachadh O Baoighill (Cloughaneely), Conor McCahill (Four Masters), Alex Cunnea (Naomh Columba). 

Subs; Cillian Doyle (Naomh Padraig, Uisce Chaoin) for Meade (ht); Gavin Sweeney (Ardara) for Donnachadh O Baoighill (52); 

Down: Tiernan Quinn; Aaron McClelland, Jon Rogers, Fionn McCaul; Lorcan Murray, Oisin Murphy, Shane McParland; Conall King, Cormac Small; Gerard Dolan, Barry McEvoy, Charlie McGrath; Darragh Poland, James O'Hanlon, Conor Ward.

Subs: Ross Green and Liam Blaney for McPartland and Small (both ht), Daniel Carr for Ward (45), Eoin McCaffrey for McCaul (50), Caolan McGinley for Poland (55), Ailill Morris for King (57).

Referee: Cathal Doherty (Derry).