Thirteen-man Donegal make it two from two in NHL with win over Sligo

Thirteen-man Donegal just hung on to hold off a late rally from youthful Sligo to gain two precious points in Division 2B in slippery conditions in Markievicz Park.

Sligo 2-14
Donegal 1-19

The visitors finished with 13 men after Sean McVeigh was lined for a second yellow card 10 minutes from time and Declan Coulter was given a harsh red card for a pull which was clearly on the ball as a Sligo player went down quite spectacularly in the 70th minute.

In the end, despite getting a late fright against a strong fit 14-man Sligo team, Donegal’s greater experience just about saw them through. And while Mickey McCann might not be happy with the last quarter, he will be very pleased with the two points.

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Reduced to 14 men after their Galway midfielder Patrick Foley was lined for interference with the helmet of an opponent in the 40th minute, it looked bleak for Padraig Mannion’s men as they trailed by 1-17 to 2-8 by the 50th minute.

But, inspired by some fine long-range points from marksman Gerard O’Kelly Lynch they clawed their way back as Donegal wilted and the margin was reduced to a mere point going into injury time.

Sligo, who have 10 U-21 players in their squad, will surely rue 12 wides to their opponent’s tally of eight. The home side matched their opponents in all departments in a most entertaining first half but were not able to resist a strong Tir Chonaill surge in the third quarter as subs Jack O’Loughlin, Brian McIntyre and Daire O’Maoileidigh made a real impact when introduced after the break where Donegal led by

This was a must win for Sligo after that last narrow defeat to Derry and they came from the traps like a rocket. Donegal keeper Luke White left the ball behind him as he attempted to clear, and Gerard O’Kelly-Lynch had a bit to too but managed to shepherd the ball over the line.

But the visitors hit back like a rattler with quickfire points from Ritchie Ryan, Gerry Gilmore and replied with a goal of their own in the seventh minute.

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Ronan McDermott’s shot was saved resulting in a massive shemozzle in the square with McDermott getting the final touch. And that set the pattern for a ding- dong first half as both sides thankfully decided that attack was the best form of defence.

Donegal led by 1-4 to 1-1 but Sligo got a second goal through Michael Munnelly after team captain Finian Cawley’s screaming shot was brilliantly saved by Luke White in the Donegal goal.

It was score for score for the remainder of a most entertaining first half with some superb long- range points from man of the match Ronan McDermott for Donegal and Sligo’s Kevin Gilmartin .

Full forward Ritchie Ryan and Davin Flynn were on target for the winners while O’Kelly-Lynch and Rory McHugh struck some fine efforts for the losers. Donegal had much the better of the third quarter and tacked on quick points from the foraging McDermott, Flynn and Ryan.

Sligo suffered a heavy blow when they lost midfielder Foley to a straight red card and looked flummoxed for a period as the winners eased into a 1-17 to 2-8 lead by the 50th minute.

But, they could only score two more points thereafter as a younger and fitter looking Sligo really took the fight to their opponents. O’Kelly-Lynch led the charge and substitutes Kieran Prior and Tomás added some vim to their challenge.

Centre back Rory McHugh was clean through on goal but elected to pass to an opponent who was in a much worse position-and the chance was lost.

And although youthful Sligo had Donegal under severe pressure, the visitors' greater experience helped them through a most searching test.

Sligo: Matt Davey; Niall Kilcullen, Mark Hannify, Kevin O’Kennedy; Gavin Connolly (0-1) Rory McHugh (0-1) Fionn Connolly; Finian Cawley, Patrick Foley; Michael Munnelly (1-0) Gerard O’Kelly/Lynch (1-6,4f) Conor Hannify; Joe McHugh (0-1) Andy Kilcullen (0-2) Kevin Gilmartin (0-2). Subs: Tony O’Kelly/Lynch for Gavin Connolly (h-time), Tomas Cawley for Gilmartin (52), Kieran Prior (0-1, f) for Michael Munnelly (54)

Donegal: Luke White; Gavin Browne, Stephen Gillespie, Padraig Doherty; Conor O’Grady (0-1) Michael Donaghue, Sean McVeigh (0-1) Declan Coulter, (0-1) Danny Cullen; Gerry Gilmore(0-1) Ronan McDermott (1-3); Josh Cronnolly/McGee, Ritchie Ryan (0-6, 3f) Davin Flynn (0-6, 2f) Subs: Brian MacIntyre for Padraig Doherty, Jack O’Loughlin for Michael Donaghue, Daire O’Maoileidigh for Cronnoly McGee (h-time), Conor Gartland for  Lafferty (59)

Referee: C Flynn (Westmeath)