Donegal cruise past Derry in one-sided Ulster opener
Donegal's man of the match Daire Ó Baoill hit 1-4 against Derry, including two two-pointers. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Donegal’s defence of their Ulster crown began with a comfortable 10-point triumph over Derry in front of a delighted 15,105 crowd in Ballybofey.
Man of the Match Daire Ó Baoill hit 1-4 including two two-pointers, Brendan McCole kept Shane McGuigan scoreless from play, Donegal monstered Neil McNicholl’s restarts. Michael Murphy started and was well marshalled by Eoin McEvoy. It hardly mattered.
Not since 2008 have Derry beaten Donegal in a Ballybofey Ulster championship encounter. Those who made the trip down the N13 came in hope rather than expectation, but the welcome was warm all the same. Giddy green and gold washed over the town, a roaring trade split in search of their appetiser between the Cool Creamery and the Villa Rose.
The sole chilling factor was the zip of a strong wind blowing into the River Finn end. That is the side where Derry warmed up. Much of their prep involved shooting from outside the arc.
From the throw-in, the visitors won a free and patiently kept ball against that breeze. The story of the first half was Donegal’s five two-attempts to Derry’s zero. The home outfit led 1-12 to 1-5, having converted two and botched a goal chance after a Murphy effort dropped short.
For Paddy Tally, there will be huge frustration with their return from the first quarter. They scored one point from their first five shots. Their first-half conversion was 50%. Shane McGuigan won and missed a penalty, driving down the middle at Shaun Patton. Two successive frees from the full-forward left them level with 10 minutes left before Donegal finally broke into a blitz.
Daire Ó Baoill swung over a terrific two-pointer during a six-point burst. Some of this was self-inflicted. Brendan Rogers conceded a needless 50m advancement and tapover free for pulling back Ryan McHugh. Ó Baoill added another from outside the arc, but Derry briefly rallied.
Neil McNicholl took his time over the kickout before booming out on top of Ciaran McFaul. A quick break sent championship debutant Dan Higgins clear. Donegal’s response was to prosper in a similar fashion. Ó Baoill roared into open country, ignored the open Conor O’Donnell alongside him and rifled in a goal.
Derry duly emerged from the turnaround and swung from range, Conor Doherty and Brendan Rogers bought producing orange flags. Before the final whistle, they missed eight two-point shots.
At the other end, Derry were powerless to stop Donegal’s relentless running power. Having cut the gap to two, Jim McGuinness’s men rapidly pushed eight clear. Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan and Finbarr Roarty scored almost identical points. Jamie Brennan and Oisin Gallen were introduced to keep it ticking over.
D. Ó Baoill 1-4 ( 2 tp), P. McBrearty 0-7 (3 frees); P. Mogan, C. O’Donnell, S. O’Donnell C. Moore, M. Murphy (1 free) 0-2 each; F. Roarty, R. McHugh, J. Brennan, O. Gallen, 0-1 each.
B. Rogers 0-5 (2 tp), S. McGuigan 0-4 frees, D. Higgins 1-0, L. Murray 0-2 (1 free), C. Doherty 0-2 (tp), P. McGrogan, N. Toner 0-1 each.
S. Patton; F. Roarty, B. McCole, O. McFadden Ferry; R. McHugh, C. McGonagle, P. Mogan; H. McFadden, C. Thompson; C. Moore, D. Ó Baoill, S. O’Donnell; C. O’Donnell, M. Murphy, P. McBrearty.
M. Curran for McFadden Ferry (half-time), O. Gallen for O’Donnell (51), J. Brennan for McBrearty (57), J. McGee for McFadden (60), N. O’Donnell for Roarty (66).
N. McNicholl; D. Baker, B. Rogers, M. Bradley; C. Doherty, P. McGrogan, E. McEvoy; C. Glass, D. Higgins; E. Doherty, P. Cassidy, C. McFaul; N. Toner, S. McGuigan, L. Murray.
N. Loughlin for Higgins (37), C. McMonagle for Toner (51), P. McGurk for Doherty (57), D. Cassidy for McGrogan (66).
B. Cawley (Kildare).
