Derry 1-16 Donegal 1-18
Donegal produced an excellent second half performance as they outmuscled Derry at Celtic Park to reach the Dr McKenna Cup Final.
Jim McGuinness’s men were three down at the break but they were much the better team in the second half and deserved their victory.
Derry almost got off to a dream start as they cut Donegal apart from the throw-in and Paul Cassidy had a great goal chance but Gavin Mulreany made a great stop.
Conor McAteer did open the scoring before Conor Doherty curled over.
Jason McGee replied with a good point for a Donegal side who were happy to kick the ball in long early on.
That tactic caused Derry problems and Turlough Carr had a goal chance but drove his effort straight at Derry ‘keeper Shea McGuckin.
McGee had another opportunity moments later but elected to fire over.
Derry were up for the battle and they pushed ahead with Lachlan Murray landing two points in quick succession while Niall Loughlin converted a free.
Donegal were soon level with Ciaran Moore, Peadar Mogan and Daire Ó Baoill all on target.
Derry upped the ante again after that and reeled off four of the next five points with Niall Loughlin (2), Ethan Doherty and Murray on the mark, with Donegal only able to offer a Mogan effort in reply.
Paul O’Hare got Donegal back to within two points before Daire Ó Baoill crashed a shot off the crossbar.
Derry had possession late in the half and Donegal stole it but then gave it away cheaply and Paul Cassidy was able to put Derry into a 0-10 to 0-7 lead at the break.
The teams clashed as they were heading off the pitch as the mercury levels rose. McGee and McKinless were booked when they returned to the field.
McAteer had the first say when the action resumed but Donegal then swooped for a goal in the 34th minute.
Shea McGuckin’s kick-out was intercepted by McGee and he raced forward before drilling into the bottom corner.
McGuinness’s men then took control and hit four points in six minutes with Hugh McFadden, Ó Baoill and Mogan (2) doing the damage.
Gavin Mulreany drilled over a two-point free while Conor McCahill moved Donegal six ahead in the 48th minute.
Derry were poor in the second half but Sean Kearney and Paul Cassidy did hit scores.
Both teams made a raft of changes but Donegal still looked well placed as Conor McCahill and Kevin Muldoon kicked points.
Derry stuck to their challenge and got back to within two when Conor Doherty, Matthew Downey and Kearney raised white flags.
However, Muldoon then stepped up and fisted an important score to put Donegal 1-16 to 0-16 ahead.
Derry needed a goal and they almost got through but Mulreany made a smart save from Conor McCluskey.
The away side finished strongly with Ryan McHugh and McCahill notching points.
Derry did get through for a goal at the death from Ryan Mulholland but it was merely a consolation score.
McGuinness’s men now advance to Saturday’s final where they will face Monaghan, who beat Tyrone this evening.
Derry: Shea McGuckin; Shea Downey, Padraig McGrogan, Diarmuid Baker; Shea Downey, Gareth McKinless, Mark Doherty; Conor Glass, Conor Doherty (0-2); Paul Cassidy (0-1), Lachlan Murray (0-3), Ethan Doherty (0-1); Niall Toner, Niall Loughlin (0-3, 2fs), Conor McAteer (0-2). Subs: Jack Doherty for Downey (Half-time), Matthew Downey (0-1) and Sean Kearney (0-2) for McAteer and Toner (47 mins), Ruairi Ó Mianain for Glass (51 mins), Ryan Mulholland (1-0) for M.Doherty (56 mins)
Donegal: Gavin Mulreany (0-2, 1tpf); Caolan McColgan, Brendan McCole, Paul O’Hare (0-1); Max Campbell, Caolan McGonagle, Peadar Mogan (0-4); Michael Langan, Kieran Gallagher; Daire Ó Baoill (1-2), Turlough Carr, Ciaran Moore (0-1); Conor O’Donnell, Jason McGee (0-2), Eoin McGeehin. Subs: Ryan McHugh (0-1), Hugh McFadden (0-1), and Finnbarr Roarty for K.Gallagher, Campbell and O’Hare (Half-time), Shea Malone, Conor McCahill (0-2), and Mark Curran for McGee, McColgan, and T.Carr (46 mins), Kevin Muldoon (0-2) and Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde for C. O’Donnell and Langan (49 mins), Ultan Doherty for Mogan (54 mins).
Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone).
