Donegal Southwest storm to MacRory victory over Castleblayney in second half

Donegal Southwest made it two from two in the MacRory Cup with a storming final quarter to overcome Our Lady’s, Castleblayney in an entertaining encounter in Killyclogher.

A Castleblayney goal eight minutes into the second half after a breakaway move put the Donegal side on the back foot, four points in arrears 1-6 to  0-5. But Shay Murrin and his backroom team began using the bench and the Monaghan side were limited to just one point in the final 24 minutes.

It was just after the goal that Southwest came to life, running the ball at pace from defence and the scores began to flow. Danny Brown was to be one of their heroes with Colm Doherty also making a huge impact from the bench.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Southwest side as they had to line out with Dungloe pair Aaron Neely and Luke Clerkin and they were to lose Shane Callaghan before half-time to a hamstring injury.

The first half saw both sides getting to know each other and it was a cagey affair. Padraic Carville opened the scoring for Castleblayney but Shane Callaghan won and pointed a free and Oisin Diver quickly added another.  There were 15 minutes on the clock when Tristan Nugent levelled before Liam Breathnach added a mark for Southwest.

In the final 10 minutes of the half the Monaghan side used the slight breeze to their advantage to tag on three points from Sean Murtagh, Evan Treanor and Canice Murphy and coupled with Callaghan’s going off injured, it looked an uphill task for Southwest at the break.

Half-time: Donegal Southwest 0-3, Our Lady’s, Castleblayney 0-5.

Donegal Southwest MacRory Cup team  Picture: Thomas Gallagher

The Donegal side were really charged up for the start of the second half with two quickfire points from Cathal Rua Gallagher and Darragh Hennigan inside four minutes, but Castleblayney responded with a Tristan Nugent mark and a goal, palmed home by Evan Treanor on 38 minutes.

However, from then on the direct running and aggressive pressing of Donegal Southwest began to pin Castleblayney back. Danny Brown pointed a free and by the 45 minute mark the margin was down to the minimum with Colm Doherty pointing a ‘45’ and another from  Patrick O’Donnell.

The Donegal boys had an effort on goal after a high centre from Jordi Gribben and a one minute burst yielded points from Colm Doherty and Danny Brown to see them hit the front again.

As the game entered the final five minutes Brown added another point and then followed up a good move to fire to the roof of the Castleblayney net and settle the issue.

A careless pass led to a ‘Blayney break with Jordi Gribben taking a black card to stop a goal and Evan Treanor had the losers’ final point while Gavin Sweeney had the final point for Southwest after another aggressive press led to a turnover.

Apart from the excellent Danny Brown, Padraig McBride was heavily involved from the back, as was Cathal MacAoidh, Gribben, Max Campbell and Rua Gallagher. Darragh Hennigan was strong at midfield and the replacements all made an impact.

Next up for Southwest is a crack at St  Colman’s, Newry, one of the greatest nurseries in Gaelic football.

Donegal Southwest scorers: Danny Brown 1-3,1f; Colm Doherty 0-2,1’45’; Cathal Rua Gallagher, Shane Callaghan (free), Darragh Hennigan, Liam Breathnach (mark), Oisin Diver, Patrick O’Donnell, Gavin Sweeney 0-1 each.

Our Lady’s, Castleblayney scorers: Evan Treanor 1-2,1f; Tristan Nugent 0-2,1mark; Canice Murphy, Sean Murtagh, Padraic Carville 0-1 each.

Donegal Southwest: Padraig McBride; Cathal MacAoidh, Thomas McDevitt, Ethan Byrne; Cathal Rua Gallagher, Jordi Gribben, Max Campbell; Darragh Hennigan, Shane Callaghan; Liam Breathnach, Cianan McDaid, Alex Cunnea; Gavin Doherty, Oisin Diver, Danny Brown.

Subs: Patrick O'Donnell for S Callaghan (28); Gavin Sweeney and Colm Doherty for C McDaid and O Diver (both 39); Eoghan Ban McNelis for E Byrne (47); Shane Sweeney for P O'Donnell (57)

Our Lady's, Castleblayney: Daniel Coleman; Eanna Curran, Eoghan Comiskey, Jack Sullivan; Stephen Hanlon, Cormac McNally, Fionnan Markey; Canice Murphy, Donnacha Smith; Sean Murtagh, Tristan Nugent, Padraic Carville; Evan Treanor, Lorcan Mone, Charlie Mone.

Subs: Brian Lynch for C Mone (5); James Ennis for C McNally (42).

Referee: Paul Gallagher (Tyrone)