Donegal patience pays off against Galway
Galway supporters along with those from Sligo and Tyrone voiced their displeasure as Rory Gallagher’s side were content to keep the ball and wait for an opening.
It’s almost four years since Donegal gave new meaning to the word “defence” against Dublin. They’ve evolved but the dog still has the bad name.
If anyone should have been heckled it was Galway who were operating a full team shield behind the ball.
Donegal’s patient attitude served them well in the end as they eventually perforated the Galway cover, overcoming 30 minutes without a score to move away from their opponents in the last 15 minutes.
But there were too many similarities with their Ulster final defeat for Gallagher to be confident facing Mayo. In Clones, they went 28 minutes in the first-half without scoring. Against Monaghan, they totalled 15 wides. Beating Galway, they racked up one less.
Gallagher agreed: “There is a pattern in all our games where we started very well and fall away after 15 minutes. It is something we are aware of and are keen to address. Then, in the second-half, we come out all guns blazing. We need to be more consistent. Obviously, you start at 100 miles an hour and you tire a wee bit, other teams get to grips with you as well, but it is something we are going to have to address.”
On level terms at half-time, 1-4 to 0-7, Donegal went behind in the 42nd minute but Galway didn’t push on. Neil McGee did quite the number on Damien Comer while Ryan McHugh was too much for Michael Lundy to handle.
Donegal also lorded the kick-out. The next three points came from Donegal, Odhran Mac Niallais sending over a sumptuous score followed by an inspiration fetch-and-strike from Michael Murphy.
Donegal were three to the good when they strung together one of the scores of the championship: Colm McFadden angling a long ball into Murphy who rose to touch the ball down almost lineout-like to the on-running Ryan McHugh for a superb goal.
Murphy’s prolonged spell in the full-forward line was pivotal to Donegal’s success although the supply that came his way was of good quality too. “Well, you get us a move out of Ulster and you might see it a bit more,” smiled Gallagher. “It’s not easy when there are five or six men in around the D. That’s the way Ulster teams play.
“To be honest, it was probably part of the plan to play him out the field in Ulster. He is going to get more touches. In other games over the years in Ulster he has got minimal touches when playing inside.”
Galway manager Kevin Walsh was right in saying the 10-point difference didn’t reflect the game. Christy Toye’s injury-time goal and scores from Murphy and McFadden in the closing stages put a flattering look on the scoreboard.
“It wasn’t a case of going down 10 points in the first-half and then knocking on a few late scores. I think it was important we were fighting iwhen it mattered. I think we fought very hard for 50 minutes. I’m very proud of how they worked.
“The wheels came off for the last few minutes when we left ourselves exposed at the back, going out to try to get the game back. Maybe there are certain teams out there who stick to the process all day and are happy to lose by three or four points. But that’s not in this team.”
As for a lack of Division 1 football hurting Galway, Walsh argued: “No point going up to Division 1 and coming back down. I think it’s more important we become more consistent as a team. and play together and if that’s in Division 2, it’s in Division 2.”
The league is the last thing on Gallagher’s mind as he puts a plan together for Mayo on Saturday. At least the Ulster final defeat has been parked, he says.
“You see the way we played in the second half. The last 20 minutes of the first-half wasn’t good enough and wouldn’t be good enough against a team like Mayo. It’s up to us now to improve our intensity. I suppose there is inevitably a period of mourning when you lose a provincial final, one we very much wanted to win. We are over that now so it is very much all to play for nex Saturday.”
Éamonn McGee told his team-mates he will be right for the Mayo game after rolling his ankle in the first half and not returning to the fray in the second. Karl Lacey, Gallagher conceded, is “touch-and-go” to be right for the return to Croke Park in five days’ time.
P McBrearty (1-1); C McFadden (0-4, 1 free); O Mac Niallais, M Murphy (2 frees) (0-3 each); R McHugh, C Toye (1-0 each); L McLoone (0-1).
G Sice (0-4, frees); A Varley (0-2); D Cummins, T Flynn, P Conroy, D Comer (free), S Walsh (0-1 each).
P Durkin; N McGee, É McGee, P McGrath; R McHugh, F McGlynn, É Doherty; N Gallagher, M Murphy; M McHugh, H McFadden, O Mac Niallais; C McFadden, P McBrearty, M O’Reilly.
A Thompson for É McGee (inj), M McElhinney for M O’Reilly (both h-t); D Walsh for P McGrath (black, 51); L McLoone for P McBrearty (54); C Toye for H McFadden (68); David Walsh for C McFadden (70+2).
B O’Donoghue; F Hanley, C Sweeney, J Duane; G Bradshaw, G O’Donnell, L Silke; F Ó Curraoin, T Flynn; G Sice, P Conroy, M Lundy; D Cummins, A Varley, D Comer.
S Walsh for A Varley, P Sweeney for P Conroy (both 57); P Ó Gríofa for D Cummins (63); S Denvir for M Lundy (67); M Martin for T Flynn, E Tierney for G Sice (both 69).
E Kinsella (Laois)
The Donegal goal on the hour. Odhran Mac Niallais, Colm McFadden and Michael Murphy were all involved before Ryan McHugh applied the finishing touch. A score of beauty.
Can Donegal go so long without scoring again — 30 minutes — without being punished?
The chorus of boos that greeted some Donegal “keep-ball” play in the first-half illustrated a lack of knowledge on the crowd’s part.
Donegal had to bide their time to wear Galway down but the long spell Murphy remained at full- forward provided dividends.
Colm McFadden’s involvement in the three goals plus his three points from play would make him a stand-out performer if it weren’t for Mac Niallais being just as effective.
A few crucial fouls missed by Eddie Kinsella on what was a hectic affair at times despite only two yellow cards.
Donegal face Mayo in a repeat of their 2012 All-Ireland final and 2013 All-Ireland quarter-final in Croke Park next Saturday in another last eight clash.
