Donegal Masters squeezed out by London in Shield semi-final

Donegal Masters’ All-Ireland Shield hopes came to an end on Saturday afternoon as London gained a three-point win at the Errigal Ciaran GAA grounds just outside Omagh. 

Donegal 2-8 London 2-11

Donegal had gifted the Exiles an early 1-3 lead but battled back to trail by just two points at the midpoint. 

However, some spurned opportunities in front of goal, as well as some quality marksmanship by London up the other end following the restart, eventually pushed London through to the decider. 

London Masters, who defeated Donegal. 

With the likes of Kilcar pair Michael Molloy and David Cannon as well as former St Naul’s man Gary Kane in their midst, London grabbed the opening pair of points inside the first five minutes thanks to a Jonathan Douglas ‘45 and a free by the busy Joe McMahon. 

Things got even better for London soon after when McMahon fired in the game’s opening goal to open up a five-point gap. On ten minutes the same player eased his side out to 1-3 uninterrupted and it looked a little ominous for Donegal, even at that very early juncture.  

Skipper Gerard McBrearty got Donegal up and running on 13 minutes but a fine Molloy arrow again put a half dozen points between the teams. Another McBrearty free was again stroked out by London with McMahon on target once more. 

But with Donegal finally settling into the contest, Patrick Hannigan had a driving effort tipped onto the crossbar but, in the process, was fouled inside the area and a spot kick awarded.

Cloughaneely full-forward Sean Maguire planted the resulting penalty to the right corner to leave it 1-5 to 1-3. 

Paddy McNulty quickly clipped another Donegal point while McMahon, from a free, also registered once more for London. Before the short whistle, Donegal took their first-half tally out to 1-4 as Aidan Duddy cleared the crossbar. 

Molloy added his second of the game shortly after the restart but Brian McLaughlin made sure Donegal remained two off the coattails of the leaders. 

Matters threatened to turn nearing the end of the third quarter when a sweeping move downfield ended with Hannigan palming home at the back post. Donegal now led for the first time 2-5 to 1-7. 

And it looked like things had got even better for Donegal, less than a minute later, when a direct ball into the area from McNulty was collected by Hannigan once more as he coolly slotted to the net. 

Donegal Masters, who lost out to London. 

However, after some consultation with his umpires, the match referee decided there was a slight nudge in the back and the three-pointer was disallowed. 

Annoyed by that decision Hannigan let his displeasure be known and, as a result, those frustrations earned him a second yellow as Donegal were reduced to 14. McMahon then had an effort waved wide that was at least a foot inside the post. 

With the temperature rising, an exciting contest was going right down to the wire. But the game’s decisive blow landed on 52 minutes when a McMahon free came back off the upright and with Maurice Hodnett reacting quickest, London again found the front foot as he stroked home from close range. 

Gary Kane lobbed over a fine point from distance to leave it 2-8 to 2-5. Donegal would squander two gilt-edged goal chances before the end as Stephen Coyle and Eunan Keaveney both fired straight at London custodian Cathal Gallagher. 

Down the stretch McMahon twice and Molloy would add closing points for the winners while McBrearty (free), McLaughlin and Laurence McMullan all cleared the crossbar for Donegal as they came up short by three. 

Donegal scorers: Gerard McBrearty 0-3,3f; Patrick Hannigan 1-0; Sean Maguire 1-0,1 Pen; Paddy McNulty 0-1; Aiden Duddy 0-1; Brian McLaughlin 0-2; Laurence McMullan 0-1. 

London scorers: Joe McMahon 1-6,4f; Jonathan Douglas 0-1,1’45; Michael Molloy 0-3; Maurice Hodnett 1-0; Gary Kane 0-1. 

Donegal: Cathal Gallagher; Joe Dunnion, Conor McShane, Enda Bonner; Martin Donaghey, Sean McDaid, Seamus Hegarty; Paddy McNulty, Aiden Duddy; Patrick Hannigan, Laurence McMullan, Eunan Keaveney; Gerard McBrearty, Sean Maguire, Patrick Gallagher. 

Rolling subs: Mark Cannon, Brian McLaughlin, Charlie Creevy, Nicky McGarrigle, Stephen Coyle. 

London: Noel Furlong; Brendan Mulhern, Damien Fitzpatrick, Mick Gordon; Paddy Donaghy, Alan Mooney, Thomas Gallagher; Gary Kane, PJ Meehan, John Reddington, Michael Molloy, David Cannon; Jonahan Douglas, Mark Mulholland, Joe McMahon. 

Rolling subs: Niall Quinn, Maurice Hodnett, Paul McDermott, Vinny Murphy. 

Referee: Brian McCallion (Tyrone).