Donegal turn it around in second half against Derry to reach McKenna Cup decider

Diarmuid Baker of Derry in action against Paul O'Hare, centre, and Conor McCahill at Celtic Park. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

McKenna Cup semi-finals: Derry 1-16 Donegal 1-18 

A powerful third quarter — in which Dáire Ó Baoill once more was the scourge of Derry at Celtic Park — was enough to get Donegal over the line and into the Dr McKenna Cup final against Monaghan.

Donegal were three down at half-time and managed to turn it around impressively, with Ó Baoill’s goal on 34 minutes helping to turn the tide. The same player had lobbed Odhran Lynch twice to mark the return of Jim McGuinness to championship football in 2024.

Although Derry had lost their way, they did make a first of it late on, with Ryan Mulholland’s goal coming just too late in the fourth and last minute of injury time. However, the likes of Peadar Mogan, Conor McCahill, Kevin Muldoon and goalkeeper Gavin Mulreany, with a two-pointer, took Donegal from three down to 1-14 to 1-11 in front on 48 minutes.

Derry opened well, Conor McAteer and Conor Doherty both scoring early points.

Donegal got going and found themselves level with a couple of Jason McGee points by the seventh minute. Derry keeper Shea McGuckin had to be on his toes as Turlough Carr twisted his way into space to shoot at goal from close range.

Dáire Ó Baoill scores a crucial goal. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

However, Lachlan Murray’s brace and a free from Niall Loughlin meant the hosts were 0-5 to 0-2 in front. 

Loughlin — one from play and another for a free — knocked over at the Brandywell end. However, Donegal built commendably again and Mogan split the posts from a tricky angle. Eight minutes from the break and Derry were 0-7 to 0-6 ahead.

Mogan, with a second point, took Donegal back to just the two down, and they would’ve gone in front when Ó Baoill rattled the Derry crossbar on 27 minutes with a brilliant effort. 

But Cassidy would have the last word in the half, punting over and sending Derry for the changing rooms, after a little scuffle, 0-10 to 0-7 ahead.

Donegal, though, turned it completely around, and although Paul Cassidy and Sean Keaney drove Derry on late in the day, it was too late.

Scorers for Derry: L Murray 0-3; R Mulholland 1-0; N Loughlin 0-3 2f; C McAteer 0-2; C Doherty 0-2, E Doherty 0-1: P Cassidy 0-2, M Downey 0-1, S Kearney 0-2 

Scorers for Donegal: D Ó Baoill 1-2; P Mogan 0-4; J McGee, C McCahill and K Muldoon 0-2; G Mulreany 0-2, tpf; C Moore 0-1; P O’Hare: H McFadden and R McHugh 0-1 

DERRY: S McGuckin; C McCluskey, P McGrogan, D Baker; S Downey, G McKinless, M Doherty; C Doherty, P Cassidy; C McAteer, C Glass, E Doherty; N Toner, N Loughlin, L Murray.

Subs: J Doherty for S Downey (half-time); M Downey and S Kearney for C McAteer and N Toner (47); R Ó Mianáin for C Glass (50); R Mulholland for M Doherty (55).

DONEGAL: G Mulreany; C McColgan, B McCole, P O’Hare; M Campbell, C McGonagle, P Mogan; J McGee, M Langan; D Ó Baoill, T Carr, C Moore; C O’Donnell, K Gallagher, E McGeehin. 

Subs: R McHugh, H McFadden and F Roarty for M Campbell, P O’Hare and K Gallagher (half-time); C McCahill, M Curran and S Malone for C McColgan, T Carr and J McGee (46); D Mac GB and K Muldoon for C O’Donnell and M Langan (49); U Doherty for P Mogan (53).

Referee: M Loughran (Tyrone).