Monday, June 13, 2011

June 12 - Senior Football: Shannon Blues v Donegal

Shannon Blues 0-13 Donegal 0-7

Shannon Blues had control of this one from start to finish. Donegal went scoreless for most of the first half as the Blues rattled off seven unanswered points. The northerners came within a goal in the second period, but the Blues finished strong to hand the reigning champions their first defeat of the 2011 Great performances from Pa Magee, Denis McElligott and Mike Lyons saw the Blues through to a well deserved second championship victory this season.

Donegal spent much of the afternoon in pursuit of
the Blues forwards.

Shannon Blues finished the first 30 minutes with a five-point advantage over their opponents. Donegal opened brightly and got the first two points of the game, the first a lovely score from Kevin Curran and the second came from the boot of Andrew Bonnar. From then on the Blues took over. Donegal attacks were snuffed out by a diligent Blues back line and possession turned time and again. The Blues made the most of the chances as a result. Shane Cahill and Denis McElligott led the charge for the Blues, and between them accounted for six of the Blues for half points. Kevin O’Shea put the odd score over, finishing a sweeping downfield move. Donegal’s back line had to work hard, but were under a lot of pressure for most of the half. It was seven points to two for the Blues who were pleased with their work over the first 30 minutes.


Brian Collopy on the attack for the Blues.

Donegal met with little success in trying to turn the tables on the Blues in the second half. The Tir Chonaill men did get within a goal. Brian White, Jamie Doherty, and Robert McCarthy found the mark for Donegal, but the Blues retook the initiative for the final 15 minutes. Pa Magee at wing back was in excellent form and the Blues forced Donegal into making several substitutions early in the second half in search of an answer. Back came the Blues with an excellent final 15 minutes from Mike Lyons at corner forward. Lyons did well getting to the end of balls and pointed twice, his second point a great score. The workrate from the Limerick man was tremendous and provided a valuable outlet for the Blues. After Lyons extended the Blues lead with an excellent point, Denis McElligott landed another after good work from Magee, and Lyons put the Blues six to the good with time running out on Donegal. A goal was required to have a chance at a comeback and Donegal never looked like coming close to threatening the goalkeeper. Eoin Sheehy and McElligott traded points to finish the game. A solid performance from the Blues as they are beginning to look like championship contenders, .



Blues: G. Kissane, S. Kelly, S. Mann, P. Magee, C. Murphy, C. Mullen, P. Murray, D. McElligott (0-5), K. O’Shea (0-1), S. Cahill (0-3), J. McCormack, M. Lyons (0-2), S. Moriarty. Sub: B. Collopy (0-1). Donegal: C. McLoughlin, H. Devine, M. Canning, B. Duffy, E. Doonan, P. McLoughlin, B. White (0-1), M. McGinty, K. Curran (0-2), A. Bonnar (0-1), C. Carr, R. Reilly, J. Doherty (0-1). Subs: R. McCarthy (0-1), E. Sheehy (0-1)


By Rory O'Donnell

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