Senior Football: Donegal v Christopher's

Donegal 0-16 Christopher’s 1-6

Donegal had little trouble brushing aside the challenge of a weakened Christopher’s team.  Donegal played at third gear for most of the game, maybe not the best preparation for next week’s semi-final for the northerners.  Christopher’s edge was blunted and they struggled to generate chances, while for Donegal there were opportunities aplenty for the likes of Lorcan Connor, Emlyn Mulligan, and Jason Whelan.

Liam Kitterick was a busy man at corner back on Sunday.

Donegal did not have too much trouble establishing a sizeable lead over their opponents who had lost some key players in the last week.  Without the big guns of Sean White and marksman Cathal Vaughan it would be an uphill task for Christopher’s from the get go. 

Donegal put some well taken points over the bar in the opening perios, Emlyn Mulligan accounted for one great effort from a tight angle near the sideline, and Lorcan Connor accounted for three.  Paddy McAleer, Rory Kavanagh and Matt Smyth also got in on the act.  Christopher’s managed a handful of points, two Tom Fahy free kicks and a hard earned Mark Delaney effort.  Fahy forced Mickey Boyle into a good save on a rare Christopher’s foray forward, however it was Donegal looking very comfortable with a ten points to four lead at the break.

Near misses at either end got the second half off to a start.  Matt Smyth was worked into the box and with just the keeper to beat the Killybegs native blasted the ball off the foot of the post.  Shortly afterwards Christopher’s had a golden opportunity to put a dent in the Donegal lead.  Danny Kenneally was pushed in the back while under a high ball.  Tom Fahy’s penalty however also cannoned off the foot of the Donegal post and the scores remained unchanged.

Lorcan Connor has a pop for Donegal.

Donegal added points from Mulligan and Connor, while David Dunne added the Christopher’s tally.  It was the high ball into Dan Kenneally that was the main thrust of Christopher’s efforts, however, Donegal kept the threat of the big man at bay and there seldom was a high ball to get under.  Hopes faded for Christopher’s as the game came to its conclusion, although a late penalty that was slotted home by Tom Fahy put some respectability on the scoreboard.  Donegal will face a tougher challenge when they meet Shannon Blues in next week’s semi-final.

Donegal:  M. Boyle, C. Burke, J. Noctor, T. McCleneghan, M. Smyth, D. Green, R. Kavanagh, B. Donnelly, P. McAleer, E. Mulligan, G. Gallagher, J. Whelan, L. Connor.  Christopher’s:  E. Keogh, K. Fulgniati, L. Kitterick, P. Kenneally, N. Rossiter, E. O’Neill, E. Nolan, J. Kenneally, M. Delaney, T. Cooper, C. Murphy, P. Manning, D. Kenneally.

By Rory O'Donnell