Aidan McAnespies 2-12 Donegal 0-10
Aidan McAnespies bridged an 11 year gap with an eight point victory
in the much anticipated senior football final.
There was a large crowd on hand in Canton and on a day of finals, and the
biggest one did not disappoint. The game
was in the balance until the last 15 minutes when McAnespies took control and the
lessons of 3 years ago had evidently been learned as they held on tightly until
the final whistle. Donegal were well in
control until late in the first half when Eoin Gormley took full advantage of
an opportunity and his goal was like an oxygen infusion for his team who went
in 2 points to the good at half time.
The second half saw McAnespies game plan play out to perfection as
Donegal could not repeat the late heroics of 2019, and it was an emotional Robert
Croft who accepted the cup for his side.
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| Aidan McAnespies Celebrate |
The game opened with a brilliant point from Paul Mannion as the teams started to feel their way into the game. McAnespies answered with a free from Robbie Croft after Eoin Gormley drove forward and was fouled. Both players would play a big part in the events to come. The following period, however, saw Donegal control possession as McAnespies dropped back into their own half. Donegal picked off the next 3 points as the ball would find its way to the open man. Jack Doherty converted a great score, and was followed by another from Mannion. Then it was Shane Carthy with another from distance to build a cushion for Donegal as the northerners set up camp in the McAnespies half.
Although their defence did force some turnovers, McAnespies
huffed and puffed when in possession. Between
Donegal being alert to any danger and covering well to prevent a break, or a
way laid pass, they could not manage to get the ball into scoring position in
the opening 20 minutes. It looked like
Donegal would be able to pick off the points and slowly pull away. Croft converted a second free to keep his
side in touch, and with 10 minutes to half time a score came from what was
really the first good move from the Macs.
Ronan Buckley was the scorer after the side linked up well to move the
ball downfield. McAnespies were now
putting pressure on the short kickouts and it paid off after a Donegal kickout
was penalized for taking too long and the ball was hopped. It fell to Eoin Gormley and the Home Grown
player smelled the chance and drove for goal before blasting the ball inside the far post. McAnespies were
still guilty of some needless turnovers, however, Donegal did not take
advantage on the scoreboard and the sides traded scores, Gormley for McAnespies
and a Carthy free for Donegal to make it a 1-4 to 0-5 McAnespies lead at the
break.
Games turn on chances missed or taken, and shortly after the
restart Donegal had an excellent chance to get the goal back. Jack Doherty found Shane Killoran with a
wonderful ball and the Roscommon man’s shot at goal forced a great save from
Rory McElroy. Mannion was on hand to
clean up and pop it over the bar. Carthy
and Darragh Lyne had traded points, and Jamie Brennan picked up a yellow for a
foul on Jack O’Brien. Brennan may have
been getting frustrated as McAnespies were trying to get him going but he was
well marshalled by Donegal’s defence.
Croft restored the 2 point lead with a lovely score; the man from the
Naomh Barrog club in Dublin would be a key element in the run in to the final
whistle.
After Mannion cut the lead to a point with another great
strike, it was time to call in the cavalry. Sean Lowery came on for Killoran as Donegal
tried to change their fortunes up front and go for it. Peter O’Connell also came on for McAnespies
as each side changed things up to try and gain the upper hand. It was advantage to McAnespies as it turned
out. Croft pointed a free from distance,
a score worthy of a football field at any level, and was followed by a point
from Cian Sharkey, who made a lung busting run from wing back, to put McAnespies
up by 4. More changes as Keelan Sexton
entered for Donegal and Jimmy McMahon for the Macs. McAnespies defended in numbers and Donegal
now really needed to make it happen. With their opponents failing to make
inroads Macs took full advantage of a turnover.
The ball ended up with Rory Brolly having a chance only to lose control,
but Brennan was there to pick up the pieces and bury the ball into the back of
the net. Seven points up but plenty of time for a
trademark Donegal comeback. Would the
ghosts of 2019 return to haunt the Macs?
As it happened, McAnespies banished the ghosts and in the final 10 minutes probably
played their most committed football of the game. As Donegal searched for goal it was a resolute
defence that met the Tir Chonaill men and by hook or by crook, attacks were broken up and forays
downfield ended in scores. There was
another goal chance that was excellently saved by Boyle from a Brennan shot
after the corner forward was clean through following a turnover.
Points from Buckley, Croft and another superbly struck placed ball from the Dubliner extended the lead to nine points. With Donegal attacks getting swallowed up surely they day would belong to McAnespies.
Lowery had a half chance that was deflected over the bar and also
another point came for the Vincent’s man, but the game ended with a score from Corner
back, Rob Piggott, who had his work cut out to mark Mannion for the
duration and capped off a commendable display with a score. Donegal denied a 4 in a row
and after 11 years, it is McAnespies back on top and headed to Chicago for next
weekend’s USGAA Finals.
Donegal: Hugh Boyle,
Jason Noctor, Ciaran Tobin, Sean Doherty, Jack O’Brien, Caolan McColgan, Shane
Carthy, Shane Killoran, Cory Gallagher, Jack Doherty, Ciaran McDevitt, Paul
Mannion, James Newell. Subs: Sean
Lowery, Keelan Sexton, Cian Connolly, Sean Lambe.
Macs: Rory McElroy,
Gavin Nangle, Rob Piggott, Owen Ward, Colm Lennon, Cian Sharkey, Steven Ward,
Daragh Lyne, Ronan Buckley, Rory Brolly, Robbie Croft, Eoin Gormley, Jamie
Brennan. Subs: Peter O’Connell, Jim McMahon, Tiernan Saul,
Ruairi Scott.
By Rory O'Donnell
Photo Aoife Griffin
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