Clare v Donegal

[Steps]

Feels unfair there was no thread.... As a Derry man Im not confident we will finish top. Got to be a kick out of Monaghan and Donegal and who better to take down a peg

[Wildweasel74]

Just seen the highlights there. McFadden should seen the line, awful clothesline on a Clare man. And McGee a black.

[seafoid]

https://twitter.com/TheSundayGame/status/1660032205861580800

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2023/0520/1384666-donegal-find-form-after-break-to-defeat-clare/

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/2023/05/20/donegal-back-to-winning-ways-at-clares-expense-after-second-half-resurgence/

Donegal back to winning ways at Clare's expense after second-half resurgence
The Ulstermen outscored Clare in the second half by 11 points to three in the clash at Cusack Park


All-Ireland SFC Round 1: Clare 0-9 Donegal 0-14
Relief and elation in equal measures marked Donegal's All-Ireland SFC Round 1 win over Clare at Cusack Park in Ennis on Saturday afternoon.

Having garnered just one prior victory in 2023 – and that in the opening round of the National League against Kerry almost four months ago – there was the palpable sense of a weight being lifted off as they marched to victory in this Group 4 tie.

Indeed, having been second best for the majority of the opening period, a powerful surge following the second-half restart saw Donegal outscore a flagging home side by 0-11 to 0-3. The Ulster side were a far more potent and focused collective in the second period, led by chief threats Ciaran Thompson and Oisín Gallen who both ended with four points from play.

Clare may well have been further ahead going into the break, particularly after carving out a glorious goal opportunity when backed by a four-point cushion – 0-5 to 0-1 – by the 20th minute. However, Keelan Sexton's effort was superbly repelled by goalkeeper Shaun Patton at point blank range, a save that would ultimately be a turning point in the tie.


Gallen and the impressive Eoghan Bán Gallagher subsequently lessened the half-time arrears to just three points at 0-6 to 0-3. It might have been level only for John Ross Molloy to lose control of the ball when put through by Gallagher just before the interval.

In truth, only one team fully remerged for the latter period, with Donegal only growing in confidence with every passing minute. A brace of Thompson points helped his side to finally gain parity by the 48th minute, eventually pulling ahead on the hour mark through Hugh McFadden.

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Clare substitute Darragh Bohannon did level the tie once more a minute later, but by now the momentum had clearly shifted towards the visitors.

Points from Gallen, Thompson, Caolan McGonagle, Luke McGlynn and Rory O'Donnell ensured a commanding finish to collect the opening two points from Group 4, ahead of a juicy home tie against Ulster champions Derry in a fortnight's time.

Meanwhile Clare must go in search of a response away to Monaghan on the same weekend.

DONEGAL: S Patton; M Curran, B McCole, JR Molloy; O Doherty, E Bán Gallagher (0-1), C Ward; C McGonagle (0-2), R O'Donnell (0-1); D Ó Baoill, J Brennan, C Thompson (0-4); C O'Donnell, H McFadden (0-1), O Gallen (0-4). Subs: J McGee for Molloy (h-t), C McColgan for Ward (49 mins), L McGlynn (0-1) for C. O'Donnell (54 mins), M O'Reilly for Doherty (73 mins)

CLARE: S Ryan; C Rouine, C Brennan, R Lanigan; C Russell, J Malone, C O'Dea; C O'Connor, D O'Neill; D Walsh, E McMahon (0-2, one free), P Collins; E Cleary (0-2, two frees), K Sexton (0-1), P Lillis (0-2). Subs: D Bohannon (0-1) for Collins (21), A Griffin (0-1) for O'Connor (47 mins), B McNamara for O'Neill (52 mins), I Ugwueru for Walsh (67 mins), M McInerney for O'Dea (68 mins), M Doherty for Lanegan (73 mins)

Referee: J Molloy (Galway)

[DhoireTheas]

Derry will top the group easily but we should enjoy our day out in Croke Park as we may not be getting to the quarter final next year without Gallagher. Remember that we are only in this position now because of months of training under Gallagher.

[screenexile]

Derry will top the group easily but we should enjoy our day out in Croke Park as we may not be getting to the quarter final next year without Gallagher. Remember that we are only in this position now because of months of training under Gallagher.

That's a very short sighted view of our current position we have good players and we were improving without Gallagher's introduction anyway. Would we have had 2 Ulsters if not? Maybe not but if we can get a proper manager in next season like Malachy O'Rourke we've some good players not on the panel and some young lads to blood through so I wouldn't just be as pessimistic as that.

Apart from Chrissy I can't see too many of the starting 15 who won't be there in 5 years time!

[trueblue1234]

No thoughts of keeping CM on? Suppose will depend on how rest of year pans out. Thought he was very well thought of up there?

[JoG2]

No thoughts of keeping CM on? Suppose will depend on how rest of year pans out. Thought he was very well thought of up there?

He definitely is, and it would be great for Ciaran and all concerned if he did keep the senior's on the upward curve . Won't be for a lack of effort / preparation / passion that's for sure.

[Derryman forever]

No thoughts of keeping CM on? Suppose will depend on how rest of year pans out. Thought he was very well thought of up there?

I have high hopes for Ciaran Meenagh.
But the remainder of this season will see whether he lives up to them.
I think there is potential there that the Derry Game  and panel may both expand now

[greatpoint]

Just seen the highlights there. McFadden should seen the line, awful clothesline on a Clare man. And McGee a black.

Are you doing a ref report for all the matches or what is the plan

[Steps]

Derry will top the group easily but we should enjoy our day out in Croke Park as we may not be getting to the quarter final next year without Gallagher. Remember that we are only in this position now because of months of training under Gallagher.

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