Player Ratings: How Donegal and Galway performed in the All-Ireland semi-final
Donegal’s Ryan McHugh and Dylan McHugh of Galway during the All-Ireland semi-final.Â
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On a weekend when dropped shots proved costly for defending teams. Matthew Tierney’s reverse run was enough to put him off for Paul Conroy’s goal.
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Forced to retired in the 47th minute when he was injured in winning a free from John Maher. Shane Walsh’s movement hardly troubled him and he offered himself for attacks.
Damien Comer didn’t give McCole much to worry about but then a large reason for that was how assured the Donegal man was in putting himself between the goal and his marker.
Filled a variety of roles. One run late in the first half prompted four Galway defenders to take action stations and the danger was averted. An All-Star but not for this game.
The Kilcar man, like Mogan, wasn’t able to inject his trademark pace when Galway were sharp in getting numbers back and therefore his impression on the game was low.
In the physical exchanges, he wasn’t found wanting and he was part of the hunting party that turned Galway over on a couple of occasions. A first-half point to his name too.
Taken off on the half-hour mark and it was no surprise as he wasn’t having much of an impact on proceedings and Tierney was making hay on kick-outs on the right wing.
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Not fully fit coming into the game and was one of the three 11th hour changes. He provided the cover for Michael Langan and ran out of steam before the hour mark.
Kicked three wonderful first-half points and that long-range radar was vital when Galway were disciplined in blocking the area around the “D”. Added a fourth in the second half. Â
Registered a second-half wide and his poor hand-pass was turned over in the closing stages of normal time. Showed up as much to defend as he did to attack.
Opened the scoring for Donegal and curled over their second of the next half. He offered his services in trying to break through the Galway defence but its resolve was strong. Â
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A couple of first-half points, dropping the shoulder for one and taking a shot closer to goal and the other a mark. A couple of efforts dropped short in the second half.
One point in the opening period and posted Donegal’s third of the second half but was more an out-ball option than anything else and replaced in the 59th minute.
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Sent over two of his three first-half strikes at goal. They were off his left and his first in the second came on his right. A disappointing finish for him but he was one of Donegal’s best.
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Difficult to explain what Doherty gave Donegal if anything in this game. He appeared to hang around the fringes too often and didn’t get involved enough.
Daire Ó Baoill for Caolan McColgan (30); Jeaic Mac Ceallbhuà for Eoghan Bán Gallagher (48); Hugh McFadden for Jason McGee, Niall O’Donnell for Paddy McBrearty (both 59); Odhran Doherty for Aaron Doherty (63).
Of his 12 first-half restarts, only one was lost. And Galway, in that instance, immediately won back possession as Matthew Tierney and Dylan McHugh forced Ryan McHugh to overcarry. Was ultra-sharp in identifying spare maroon shirts. Slipped up in the second period when cheaply giving away possession from a Donegal point attempt short. Thankfully for Gleeson, the error went unpunished.
Comfortably won his duel with Aaron Doherty. But offered so much more than that. No more than fellow corner-back Jack Glynn, he was so comfortable in advanced positions, showing quick hands to try and help carve openings in the Donegal screen. Â
Wasn’t given a man-marking job in the full-back line and so spent the day further out. He tagged Shane O’Donnell early doors, the Donegal No.11 kicking two points. Â
Was given the McBrearty brief. And while the Kilcar man kicked a pair from play, Glynn saw him off on the hour mark. Routinely offered himself as an outlet deep in the Donegal half.
Outstanding. Tireless. Could never be accused of operating conservatively. Instrumental in punching holes in a tiring Donegal defence in the second half. Provided his team’s opener. Brought Galway level on 42 minutes. His confidence was demonstrated in his determination to try and bring Damien Comer into the game with long kick-pass deliveries.Â
McHugh was the RTÉ man of the match. Silke pushed him all the way. Bold and brave. Didn’t have life easy in the company of OisĂn Gallen in the opening half. Gallen’s attacking threat, though, never dimmed Silke from driving forward himself. Assisted both of John Maher’s points and also threw over two of his own. Was the key to unlocking the opposition defence on numerous occasions. Â
Not quite at McHugh and Silke’s level, but still seriously effective going forward. Carried an amount of possession into the Donegal half and beyond.
Busy, as ever, directing traffic on the fringes of the opposition semi-circle. Centrally involved in arguably the semi-final’s two most important scores. His goal carried a degree of luck, albeit reward for his willingness to constantly seek possession in the scoring zone and take aim. Provided the assist for Liam Silke’s 69th minute point to put Galway two in front. Â
In an afternoon where the middlemen thrived, Darcy was the most ineffective of the four midfielders on show. Kicked wide in the first half and was turned over for a Shane O’Donnell point on 40 minutes. First to be called ashore on 57 minutes. Â
His outstanding opening half contribution was to provide the distraction for Paul Conroy’s goal when running right across Shaun Patton’s line of sight. Was fouled two minutes later for a converted Ro Finnerty free. He looked to the skies to give thanks when his needless foul on Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuà on 63 minutes was sent wide by Gallen.
The same as the Monaghan preliminary quarter-final win, he was a second-half leader. Now, he did foul Eoghan Bán Gallagher for a McBrearty free on 48 minutes. Thereafter, he fisted a point and won the kick-out that eventually led to Galway going two in front at the end of regulation time. In the opening half, he assisted for Rob Finnerty’s opener from play and was then fouled for Finnerty’s opening free. Â
Arrived belatedly to this contest. From there, he grew and grew. What McDaid produced for Galway’s fourth point, they didn’t get enough of that from him throughout the opening half. In that instance, he collected a short restart, moved possession along, and was there at the end of the move to provide the assist to Finnerty. More of the usual McDaid in the second period. Kicked a boomer and then laid on the final pass for a Dylan McHugh point.
Two first-half white flags from play and a third from a free, but was also blocked and wide on two further occasions. And given how wrapped up Walsh and Comer were, the Tribesmen required Finnerty to put over everything that came into his barrow. Doubled free tally in second period.
Peripheral. Did not exert authority or influence. Brendan McCole dispossessed him coming in along the endline from the Cusack Stand side. His first half didn’t improve much thereafter. Did win a converted free at the beginning of the second period. Was later turned over and then withdrawn on 70 minutes.
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Not half as involved as he or Galway would have liked or needed, particularly in the opening half when Galway lacked for creativity. His first half point attempt that fell short, after two delicious side-steps, summed up a frustrating opening period for the 2022 All-Star. Registered a second half wide to compound his afternoon.
Johnny Heaney was blocked when trying for a point. Kieran Molloy won a late restart, while Tomo Culhane did his bit to hold up possession and attempt to kill time in Galway’s last attacking foray. John Daly and Daniel Ó Flaherty also introduced.
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