GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 33 – September 4, 2015 | Page 17
The Victorious Donegal Senior Team. Photo: Rory O’Donnell.
several Donegal misses, one in particular after Whelan had
got behind the defence and with the keeper to beat, the shot
skidded just wide of the far post. It was 1-2 to 1-1 for Donegal at the half, and still the game yet to really take off.
It was all square with 15 minutes to go. The focus was more
on football now with well taken scores on each side. Nugent
and Conor Moynagh put the Tones into a one point lead,
before Donegal’s Mulligan put a smooth finish between the
sticks to square it again. Play was moving up and down the
field now with each side trying to gain the upper hand. After
Neil Flynn pointed a dead ball from an incredibly difficult
angle, sub Mal McDermott, fielded the kick-out and Nicky
Kelly pointed the chance - the subs were having a big influence on the game.
The Tones opened a two point lead with the game going into injury time, Flynn and Conor McCormack with
the point and it looked like the Tones had the championship in their grasp. Donegal managed to force extra
time, though they could have stolen the game. Donegal
broke downfield as the Tones coughed up the ball while
trying to maintain possession in their own half. Darren
McDonnell pulled off a fine save to keep the ball out of
the net, and deny Donegal a last minute victory. Surely
it would be the moment that captured the Tones first
championship. Not so as Donegal kept themselves alive.
Mal McDermott pointed the 45, and the kick-out broke
to Emlyn Mulligan who earned his keep with a very well
taken point and quite incredibly sent the game to extra
time.
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