Sunday July 31 - Junior A Football: Wolfe Tones v Donegal

Wolfe Tones 0-10 Donegal 0-12


Donegal came out on top in this top of the table Junior A Football clash. There was very little between the teams, however, as the second half wore on Donegal managed to separate themselves and came away with a two point win.

Declan Kinahan rises for the ball.

It was all square by the time the first half was over with very little separating the teams. The Tones opened with two points on the trot from Mick Sammon and John O’Keefe. Dean Matthews brought Donegal level with two points and it was back and forth for the rest of the half with the teams swapping scores. Donegal center back Derek Nolan did well, and at one point stole forward to put one over the bar. Possession broke even around the middle of the field and each team tallied good scores. Mick Sammon showed some of the old form with a fine point from out on the wing and later in the half Marty McGeough did likewise. For Donegal’s part John Eagan and Matthews each tallied great points.

Donegal opened the second half with a flurry of points coming from Lee Carr and Dean Matthews. It did not take long for the Tones to answer. Declan Kinahan and McGeough pulled their side within a point. The Tones almost had a goal. A Mick Sammon ’45 dropped into the small box and Dara Bonfil tried to force the ball over the line, but Donegal’s defence did well to keep it out. Donegal took over as we entered the final 15 minutes. The northerners moved the ball well through John Eagan, Jonathan Byrne, and Matthews up front. The Tones popped over a couple of points from Maguire and Sammon, but the Donegal defence held as the Tones launched a last gasp attack. These two teams could well in up meeting again before the season ends.

Tones: K. McParland, A. Higgins, C. O’Callaghan, C. Malone, P. Collins, A. Rooney, D. O’Keefe, D. Kinahan, M. McGeough, G. Molloy, D. Maguire, S. O’Brien, M. Sammon. Donegal: C. McLoughlin, K. McGee, B. Friel, P. McLoughlin, D. Nolan, D. Green, J. Byrne, R. Ivers, E. McCarney, E. Ward, J. Eagan, L. Carr, D. Matthews.


By Rory O'Donnell