Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Donegal SFC semi-final: St Michael’s 0-8 Dungloe 0-9
DAZZLING Dungloe have reached their first Donegal county final since 1964 after a narrow but thoroughly deserved victory over wasteful St Michael’s in Sean Mac Cumhaill Park.
A late Darren Curran point proved to be the crucial score for the winners, who have bridged a 60- year gap as their jubilant fans invaded the pitch in high elation.
But St Michael’s, who fielded with the returning Michael Langan in the middle of the field, will rue 11 wides – eight in the second half, with five shots dropping short. Dungloe were much more economical with four wides over the hour.
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The Clochan Liath men effectively won this match in a snappy third quarter when they moved into an 0-8 to 0-4 lead by the 40th minute after leading 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.
And even though they only scored one further point from play via Curran, it was just enough to see them through as Michael’s mounted a late rally.
St Michael’s will be disappointed that they only scored one point from play over the hour.
It was Dungloe who started well and had a half-chance of a goal after just 80 seconds.
Barry Curran was through on goal, but veered back when a quick shot might have been more profitable and the danger was averted.
At the other end, Michael Cannon swung over a fine point for St Michael’s after a pass from Daniel McLaughlin.
McLaughlin followed this opener with a point from play which was quickly cancelled by a splendid solo point from Dungloe’s Karl Magee.
Ryan Connors then tied matters for Dungloe with a pointed free after Mark Curran was fouled.
McLaughlin, however, restored the St Michael’s lead with a pointed free after Ciaran Kelly was fouled.
A scoring famine of 15 minutes then followed with McLaughlin dropping three shots short into the arms of Dungloe goalkeeper Danny Rodgers.
McLaughlin eventually converted a free for Michael’s to put them into a 0-4 to 0-3 lead but Daire Gallagher levelled matters and a Ryan Connors free put Dungloe into the lead for the first time.
It was one they were never to lose as they steamed clear on the resumption through points from Connors, Barry Curran and Dylan Sweeney to rack up a lead of 0-8 to 0-4 by the 38th minute.
St Michael’s, spurred by McLaughlin, rallied and he pointed from a free.
Langan did likewise on the double to narrow the gap to 0-8 to 0-6. But they also hit four hasty wides in this period.
It was all St Michael’s at this stage of proceedings – but Darren Curran tore down the right wing and hit a fine point from the wing to make it a 0-9 to 0-7 game.
St Michael’s had a chance of a goal, but McLaughlin’s rocket cannoned off the post and Andrew Kelly hit the rebound well wide.
McLaughlin hit a free in the 63rd minute to leave the minimum between the side, but Dungloe dug in and held firm for their historic victory.
Scorers
St Michael’s D McLaughlin 0-5f; M Langan 0-2f; M Cannon 0-1
Dungloe R Connors 0-3f; D Sweeney, B Curran, D Curran, O Bonner, D Gallagher & K Magee 0-1 each
