June 2 - Junior Football A1: Donegal v Aidan McAnespies

Aidan McAnespies 1-5 Donegal 2-16

The revamped junior championships started on a hot early summer Sunday with Aidan McAnespies and Donegal opening the Junior A1 section.  Donegal looked impressive as the 2012 champions swept aside the challenge of McAnespies.  A goal in each half, the first from Pauric McLaughlin and the second from Christy McLaughlin underlined Donegal's dominance and though McAnespies toiled for the 60 minutes to try and get something from the game, they could not keep up with their opponents.

Two stalwarts, Donegal's Michael McGinty
and McAnespies Shane Lynn.

At the end of the first period it was Donegal in firm command of affairs.  McAnespies opened the scoring with an Enda Hamill point, however, once Donegal got into the swing of things the Tír Chonaill took command of the game.  Christopher McLoughlin accounted for 5 points, two fine scores from play and three well taken frees.  Pauric McLaughlin may take credit for the goal.  It looked like his left footed shot may have been scrambled clear, but the umpire saw that it had crossed the line and signaled for a goal.  Donegal's Rocky Ivers suffered a bad injury to his knee area and word was that it was dislocated.  Play was delayed for about 20 minutes before he was wheeled away to the hospital.  Michael McGinty took his place in midfield.  McAnespies kept in touch, points from Jonathan McGourty, and another from Hamill were followed by a goal from old head, Nigel Regan.  McGourty found Regan headed toward goal and Regan fired low to the far corner with a finish reminiscent of younger days.  At the break it was Donegal four to the good, 1-7 to 1-3.

The second half began with McAnespies setting about their business with a purpose.  Points from Peadar Nugent and a dead ball kick from keeper Ryan McCrystal reduced the deficit to two points as things heated up in the middle of the field.  Again, Donegal clicked and settled, and began to play some nice passing football, linking well out of the back line.  The lead was quickly restored to four points, and then it was extended as Christy Bell, Darren Green, and Pauric McLaughlin extended the gap to nine points.  Donegal netted a second time as Christy McLaughlin finished a sweeping move that also involved Kevin  Curran and Pauric McLaughlin.  Donegal making a statement in the junior football ranks and looking serious about retaining the Pat Callaghan Cup.

Macs:  R. McCrystal (0-1), G. Treanor, G. McLinden, E. Daly, B. Morgan, P. McCusker, S. Lynn, N. Donaghy, C. Oliver, J. McGourty (0-1), E. Hamill (0-2), P. Nugent (0-1), N. Regan (1-0).  Donegal:  E. McCarney, N. McLoughlin, K. Connaghton, S. Wogan, E. Doonan, Paddy McLoughlin, R. Ivers, D. McBride, D. Green (0-3), C. McLoughlin (0-7), Pauric McLaughlin (1-2), D. McDaid (0-1), J. Lyroncky.  Sub:  M. McGinty.  Subs: C. Bell (0-2), K. Curran (0-1).

 

By Rory O'Donnell

The second junior A1 game that was scheduled was awarded to Cork due to Armagh-Notre Dame not turning up for the fixture. 

Junior B Football Result

 

Aidan McAnespies 1-10 Donegal 2-18