Oscar Traynor dream ends for Donegal League against Waterford District

Oscar Traynor dream ends for Donegal League against Waterford 

Donegal 2-3 Waterford

By Darren Kelly

Donegal’s dreams of winning a first Oscar Traynor trophy since 1983 came unstuck on Sunday as Waterford came from behind to win at Athlone Town Stadium.

Goals from Mark O’Keeffe and Luke Walsh after Donegal lost Michael Funston through injury proved to be difference.  And the game concluded with manager John Francis Doogan getting two yellow cards after the final whistle. 

Mark Anthony McGinley, in for the absent Blake Forkan, didn’t waste time with kickouts and on eight minutes, instigated the first goal. 

Adrian Delap was fouled, Joel Gorham sent a cross from the right to the far corner with Matthew Crossan’s header directing the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

Another dead ball nearly allowed Shane McNamee an opportunity but referee Sean Finn spotted a push.  McNamee also shot over while Gorman and Paul Boyle combined in injury time only for keeper Gavin Buckley to get a knock.

However, Waterford were back on terms in the 43th minute.  Adham Mazood came inside to flick the ball towards the penalty area.  Conor Whittle finally managed some space and lobbed McGinley leaving it 1-1 at half-time.

The Blues created the first threat after the restart when Whittle’s free found Darryl Walsh unmarked but his header was stopped.  McGinley quickly found Delap down the far corner.  Funston was outside him and after receiving possession, drilled a superb strike low past Buckley.

But the tide turned when Funchon departed on 66 minutes.  Adam Conway’s ball towards the centre two minutes later allowed O’Keeffe break the offside trap and his touch beat the advancing McGinley levelling at 2-2 apiece.

Craig Maher’s team got their third goal on 74 minutes.  Conway and Mazood were dominating the right as the ball pinged around and was cleared.  But the unmarked Luke Walsh just outside the box was on hand to stroke the ball into the top corner.

Donegal were behind but kept chasing salvation but Darren McElwaine and Nathan Plumb couldn’t find a way through.  Claims for a late Donegal penalty didn’t materialise and Doogan vented his frustration at the finish.  A memorable Oscar Traynor run ended on a sour note.

Donegal League: Mark Anthony McGinley; Paul Boyle, Matthew Crossan, James Doherty (Brendan Doherty 75), Ryan Lonergan; Michael Funston (Darren McElwaine 66), Joel Gorman, Shane McNamee (Lee McMonagle 81), Mark Forker (Zach Gorman 81); Eddie O’Reilly (Nathan Plumb 87), Adrian Delap.

Waterford District League: Gavin Buckley; Adam Conway, Luke Walsh, Darryl Walsh, Danny Reynolds (Conor Signorelli 90); Adham Mazood, Conor Whittle, David Cooley (Andrew Power 90), Michael Brennan (John Frederick Tamen 54); Mark O’Keeffe, Charlie Binions.

Referee: Sean Finn