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[Minors claim Dublin scalp]

Minors claim Dublin scalp

Cavan's Jack Brady

Shane Corrigan
at Breffni Park

Cavan 0-11
Dublin 0-10

Cavan continued their winning ways against Leinster's finest last Saturday afternoon when they pipped Dublin at Kingspan Breffni Park to pick up their second win in as many games in the Ulster Minor Football League.

Mickey Graham's team built on the previous weekend's win over Meath with another encouraging display, where they conceded just one point from play over the hour, against a Dublin side managed by former Cavan senior boss Val Andrews, as they prepare for their Ulster championship clash with Fermanagh in a little over two months' time.

The hosts were dominant in the opening stages of this game but kicked three wides in the first two minutes, before Fergal Flanagan - operating at centre-forward - got them off the mark in the fourth minute with a slick point which was backed up by Shannon Gaels sharpshooter Nevin O'Donnell cracking over a terrific free with his left boot just outside the 45 metre line.

More off-target shooting brought the Cavan wides' tally up to five after eight minutes of play and allowed Dublin to settle into the game by the quarter hour mark as corner-forward Darragh Mylod struck a brace of frees to tie things up at 0-2 each.

Jack Brady announced his arrival in the game with a 20-metre free soon afterwards, but for all their possession the home side failed to push on and this time Adam Caffrey punished more indiscipline at the back from Cavan with a simple placed ball. The next attack saw the visitors pull off a flowing move across their full-forward line and only for Conor Gilsenan racing off his line to block Mylod's effort Dublin would have been in front.

It was perhaps the wake-up call that Cavan yearned as the next three points would be theirs with Brady to the forefront.

Five minutes from the break the Ramor ace raced out from full-forward to fetch possession 45 metres from goal, which he did brilliantly, and was pushed in the back in the process. He made converting the resultant free look easy and curled over two more sweet points from play in the next three minutes to push the young Breffni men three in front.

The capital boys didn't lie down though and some nice inter-changing through the middle saw them draw their fourth scoreable free which Caffrey duly sent over the close the half at 0-6 to 0-4.

Graham re-jigged things for the second-half and introduced Paul McEvoy, Shane Clarke and Karl Duke to the fray, but it was the Dubs that made the better start as Caffrey's third accurate free brought the difference down to the bare minimum.

O'Donnell responded in kind for the would-be winners, but continued fouling when under pressure at the back from his team-mates allowed Caffrey again to bring Dublin within a white flag.

A 20-metre free from Brady and some excellent work from James Madden to rob the Dublin full-back of possession and fire over restored a three-point lead for Cavan, but the Sky Blues recovered well with Caffrey (free) and substitute Donagh McCabe finding the target.

With a nervy ten minutes to go, Dublin rallied and pierced Cavan's rearguard with the ball looking destined for Gilsenan's net but Colin Woods rolled his shot just wide and the hosts were let off the hook.

Crucially, Graham's team didn't panic and instead lifted themselves as Madden found Flanagan inside for a settling point and a poor kick-out from Dublin's John Brian Carthy saw Lavey's Karl Duke keep his head and drill over a much needed point after Caffrey had registered his sixth free of the game.

With time almost up, Dublin hunted for a winning score but they were denied by a full-back line inspired by Jason McLoughin, who had been superb throughout, and were made to settle for a Woods free on the eve of the long whistle which left them one short in the end.

Cavan: Conor Gilsenan; Shane Harten, Jason McLoughlin, Cian McPhilips; Conor Moynagh, Aaron Smith, Darragh Sexton; Turloc Mooney, James Madden (0-1); Chris Conroy, Fergal Flanagan (0-2), Nevin O'Donnell (0-2, 2f); Cian Byrne, Jack Brady (0-5, 3f), Enda O'Reilly. Subs: Paul McEvoy, Shane Clarke, Karl Duke (0-1), Shane Wharton, Niall O'Reilly.

Dublin: John Brian Carthy; Michael Durkan, Graham Heavey, Conor Cronin; Michael Gibbs, Sean Prendergast, Conor Pike; Danny Byrne, Paddy O'Higgins; Fearghal Duffy, Neil O'Flynn, Paul Maguire; Darragh Mylod (0-2, 2f), Adam Caffrey (0-6, 6f), Colin Woods (0-1, 1f). Subs: Donagh McCabe (0-1), Niall McGovern, David Thatwell.

Ref: Damien Helferty (Monaghan).

[Ulster Minor Football League Section A]

Ulster Minor Football League Section A 
Round 3
Cavan v Armagh  Breffni Park Cavan 27-03-2010 12:00 Fergal Cleary   
Monaghan v Dublin  Ballybay 27-03-2010 12:00 Jim Galligan 
Down v Meath  Saval 27-03-2010 12:00 Damien Helferty 


Ulster Minor Football League Section B
Round 3
Derry v Antrim  Maghera 27-03-2010 12:00 Eugene McConnell 
Donegal v Tyrone  Ballyshannon 27-03-2010 12:00 Barry Cassidy 
Fermanagh v Westmeath  Lisnaskea 27-03-2010 12:00 Fergal Daly

 
Ulster Minor Hurling League Division 1
Round 3
Derry v Armagh  Swatragh 27-03-2010 12:00 Kieran McGuinness
Down v Antrim  Ballykinlar 27-03-2010 12:00 Niall Clifford

Ulster Minor Hurling League Division 2
Round 3
Tyrone v Fermanagh  Killeeshil 27-03-2010 12:00 Philip McDonald   
Donegal v Monaghan  Letterkenny 27-03-2010 12:00 Jim Slevin   


   

Video Match report from the Armagh v Donegal game

http://armagh-gaa.com/Armagh-TV/News/VIDEO--Match-Report-U21---Armagh-0-9-Donegal-1-9.aspx

The poor oul umpire.

[(Sunday)]

28-03-10 (Sunday)
National Hurling League Roinn II
Round 5
An Iarmhí V Aontroim
Time: 4-15 PM, Venue: Cusack Park, Mullingar
Referee: Eamonn Hassen

[Unconvincing win for Clare on the Falls Road]

Unconvincing win for Clare on the Falls Road
http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=14124.msg662741#msg662741






Alan Markham gets away from Antrim's Barry McFall and Karl McKeegan. Photo by Seamus Loughran




National Hurling League  Div 2 Round 4

Antrim           1-09

Clare              0-13



A slender victory in Belfast may keep Clare in promotion contention but leaves the question: is Clare hurling in steep decline or does this effort merely represent the stormy night before a glorious summer dawn?

Clare took the long road to Casement Park on the Falls Road to take on opposition that would normally be regarded as cannon fodder. Irrespective of the opposing team, 2010 is now proving to be a major obstacle for Clare to overcome as they attempt to reassert a hurling challenge on the national stage.

Wexford's loss to a Carlow side that would never win a first division game and Clare's inability to overcome Wexford at home shows just how far these once strong sides have fallen.

Fergal Lynch, who was most unfortunate to receive a red card entering the final quarter, had Clare's opening brace of scores either side of 1-1 from Antrim's Neil McManus (goal) and Paul Shields (point). Colin Ryan and Diarmuid McMahon added further scores to level the game after 12 minutes.

Darach Honan had travelled to Belfast in the aftermath of Clonlara's U21 championship victory over Door Barefield but was forced to retire with hamstring problems. His replacement, Barry Nugent, hit a rich vein of form for ten minutes bagging a hat-trick of scores before Antrim's Neil McManus did likewise.

Colin Ryan and Shane McNaughton were also on the scoresheet as Clare held on to a slender 0-9 to 1-5 half time advantage. Pat Vaughan, who was Clare's best player, and Cian Dillon were the pick of the Clare rearguard.

Twice Philip Brennan came to Clare's rescue in the second half with tremendous reflex saves as Antrim hit hard in the final twenty minutes when Clare were operating without Lynch.

A long range pass from Philip Brennan found Diarmuid McMahon for the opening score of the second half before Paul Shields and Colin Ryan swopped scores.

Clare still managed to maintain a one point lead ahead of their hosts with scores from Aaron Smylie and Sean Collins with a well earned point leaving Clare 0-11 to 1-7. Brennan made a fine save in the 57th minute before Colin Ryan had the final Clare score in the 61st minute.

The visitors had to endure ten minutes of had fought rearguard action during which Antrim added two more scores from Paul Shields and Colm McFall as well as witnessing Pat Vaughan making a goal line clearance in the dying moments to secure a vital brace of league points.

Consequently Clare will emerge as division two league finalists and aiming for a quick return to the top flight.

The winners had strong displays from Philip Brennan, Pat Vaughan, Cian Dillon, Sean Collins,  Fergal Lynch, Barry Nugent and James McInerney.

CLARE: Philip Brennan, Pat Vaughan, Cian Dillon, Gerry O'Grady, Brendan Bugler, James McInerney, Pat Donnellan, Sean Collins (0-1), Aonghus O'Brien, Diarmuid McMahon (0-2), David Barrett, Fergal Lynch (0-2), Darach Honan, Alan Markham, Colin Ryan (0-5). Subs: Barry Nugent (0-3) for Honan (inj), Cormac O'Donovan for O'Brien, Mark Flaherty for Markham, Martin Oige Murphy for Barrett, Eamonn Glynn for Donnellan.

ANTRIM : G McGhee, A Graffin, C Donnelly, M Scullion, M McAuley, K McKeegan, C Herron, P Shiels, PJ O'Connell, S McCrory, N McManus, S McNaughton, B McFall, C McFall, C McAllister. Subs: A Smylie for McAllister, T McCann for Scullion, D Hamill for McCrory, S McKeague for B McFall, E McCloskey for O'Connell.

REFEREE: Barry Kelly (Westmeath). 

[Hurlers run out of steam against Louth]

Hurlers run out of steam against Louth




TYRONE.................0-09


LOUTH................0-18


By Geoff Gillis


FOR the third successive game Tyrone's evident lack of fitness and preparation contributed to yet another disappointing NHL League defeat against Louth at Omagh yesterday afternoon.

Ten minutes into the second half Tyrone led 0-9 to 0-8, but even though Justin Kelly tagged on another point Tyrone collapsed in the final quarter, as Louth took the game by the scruff of the neck, reeling off the final eight points without reply as the injury time dismissal of Jason Kelly on a second yellow card compounded Tyrone's disappointing afternoon.

A new look Tyrone side battled admirably throughout the opening period with solid defensive contributions from Jason Patton, Damien Maguire and Michael Kelly keeping a normally reliable Louth attack of Shane Fennell and Aidan Callan quiet to such an extent that the bulk of the visitors' opening half scores came from midfielder Gerard Smyth. Smyth accounted for five points, but in Justin Kelly and Leigh Moore Tyrone had strong competitors at midfield, while the energy of Aidan Kelly and Garry Fox allowed them to remain in contention at the halfway stage.

Louth looked the more accomplished side, but a hefty wides tally showed where their problems lay as Ronan Byrne and Mark Wallace commanded their defence with authority. Donagh O'Sullivan gave Smyth useful assistance in the engine room, but their attack struggled to avail of their chances.

Louth had three wides on the board before Smyth opened their account on five minutes from distance after good approach play from Fennell and Callan and, even though Derek Horan doubled their lead Tyrone responded with a superb Kelly free in the 14th minute. Smyth and Kelly swapped long range frees before Tyrone's dogged display restored parity on 24 minutes at 0-3 apiece courtesy of Moore.

Tyrone spurned a glorious goal chance on 32 minutes, when McLoughney tried to catch instead of flicking Fox's delivery with Louth augmenting their tally via another Smyth conversion in response to a David Lavery free for a deserving 7-4-interval cushion.

Tyrone emerged for the second period displaying more belief and with Maguire and Moore foraging for possession, they carried the game confidently to Louth with successive Lavery frees raising their hopes before the Dungannon man supplied the point of the game on 45 minutes, when he caught an Aidan Kelly delivery to point on the turn.

Three points in quick succession from Ronan Byrne, Smyth and Diarmuid Murphy handed Louth a 10-8 lead and, even though Kelly kept Tyrone in contention they failed to raise a flag for the final seventeen minutes.

Tyrone's exertions had taken their toll and as a sharp Louth side clicked through the gears, they notched up the scoring returns with Byrne, Horan, Fennell and Murphy all supplying points before referee Owen Elliott issued his twelfth yellow card of the afternoon. Unfortunately it was a second for Jason Kelly, as Tyrone saw out the final seconds a man short and firmly rooted to Division 3B basement.

[Monaghan 2-12 Antrim 2-06:]

Monaghan 2-12 Antrim 2-06:

A GOAL for each side in the opening 11 minutes at Casement Park last night promised much in way of entertainment, but that was before Monaghan took command.

After the teams were level at 0-1 each, Antrim hit the first blow when Colm Fleming fired a penalty to the Monaghan net. As the goalkeeper fumbled the ball on the goal-line, Fleming was fouled and made no mistake with the spot kick. Antrim's joy was short-lived, however. Donal Hahessy pointed for Monaghan and in the 11th minute a three-man move down the middle ended with midfielder Kieran Hughes shooting to the corner of the net. Another Fleming free levelled matters again on 13 minutes (1-2 each), but five unanswered points sent the visitors into a 1-7 to 1-2 lead.

Kieran Hughes and Colm Greenan were controlling midfield with Hahessy, Dermot Malone and David Miller giving the Antrim defence a testing time with their running and combined play.

Fergal Burke had the last say of the first half with a pointed free-kick for Antrim to leave the visitors 1-7 to 1-3 ahead.

Points by David Hughes and Chris McGuinness on the resumption were followed by a David Millar goal in the 34th minute to leave Monaghan leading by 2-9 to 1-3 and Antrim a mountain to climb. They replaced both midfielders which steadied things, but not enough. A 56th-minute goal for Antrim fisted in by Fleming was only a consolation score.

MONAGHAN: E McArdle; M Reilly, D Daly, C Galligan; C Walshe, K Duffy, D Hughes (0-1); C Greenan, K Hughes (1-0); D Hahessy (0-5, two frees), D Malone (0-1), B McArdle; C McGuinness (0-2, one free), P Tavey (0-1), D Miller (1-1). Subs: P O'Hara for B McArdle (46 mins); D McNally (0-1) for Tavey (48 mins); B McCrudden for Malone (50 mins); K Boyce for E McArdle (53 mins).

ANTRIM: P Graham; D McAlernon, D McCann, C McVeigh; P Gallagher, J Lavery, S Finch; M Magowan, B Rushe; P McCann, F Burke (0-1, free), M Armstrong (0-1); C Fleming (2-3, 1-0 pen, three frees), M Kelly, B Neeson (0-1). Subs: E McNeill for Rushe (20 mins); M McAleese for Gallagher (23 mins); P Johnston for McVeigh (39 mins); M Graham for Magowan (40 mins); M Kane (1-0) for Burke (47 mins).

Referee: B Cassidy (Derry).

[Derry forced into recovery mode]

Derry forced into recovery mode

Derry 5-09 Fermanagh 2-12:

DERRY NEEDED two late goals from Benny Heron and Aaron Kerrigan to close out a score-fest they initially looked like winning easily.

The opening 15 minutes were desperately one-sided. The alarm bells were ringing for Fermanagh after only two minutes as Derry carved open their defence for Lee Kerrigan to blast to an empty net. And, by the 13th minute, Lee Moore had scored Derry's second.

Fermanagh did rally as Derry eased off and closed the gap to 2-3 to 0-5 as the half went into injury-time, but Moore blasted home his second goal to give Derry a seven-point interval lead.

But Fermanagh roared back, and, despite losing Joe O'Brien to a second yellow – with two Chris O'Brien goals they led 2-9 to 3-5.

But Derry settled and, with Caoleain O'Boyle leading the charge from midfield, they took over in the final 10 minutes.

DERRY: A Warnock; D Bell, C McWilliams, O Duffy; C Nevin, B Doyle (0-1), B McCallion (0-1); A Kelly, C O'Boyle (0-1); C McFeely, J Kielt (0-1, f), E McGuckin (0-1); A Kerrigan (2-0), L Moore (2-1), L Kennedy (0-2). Subs: B Heron (1-1) for Kelly (40), C McGoldrick for McFeely (48).

FERMANAGH: M Jackson; C Mulligan, R Foy, M Maguire; P O'Brien, B Cox, N McElroy; R O'Callaghan, R Jones (0-2); J O'Brien, D Keenan (0-6, 3f), D McCusker; T Corrigan (0-1,f), C O'Brien (2-2, 1f), K Connolly (0-1). Subs: S Carters for Maguire (14), A Boyle for Connolly (60).

Referee: S McNamee (Tyrone).

[Molloy helps to run Armagh ragged]

Molloy helps to run Armagh ragged

Donegal 1-9 Armagh 0-9:

DONEGAL RAN Armagh ragged to reach the Ulster semi-final in Brewster Park last night. They can thank Leo McLoone in particular for a great display, and Dermot Molloy chipped in with six points.

Molloy had the first point inside a minute, but by the 15th minute Armagh were two ahead with Tony Donnelly and Mark Shields among their scorers.

In the second quarter Michael Murphy moved to full forward for Donegal, and he laid on a goal for James Carroll.

Two late points from Molloy had Donegal ahead by three at the break, 1-5 to 0-5.

Armagh were reduced to 14 with a second yellow card for Gary McCoey early in the second half. They also hit nine wides over the hour, and an injury to sharpshooter Jamie Clarke did not help.

They got within a point, but then McLoone and Molloy struck.

DONEGAL: P Boyle; E Doherty, C Boyle, P McGrath; D Walsh, K Mulhern, C Classon; L McLoone (0-2), D Curran; M McHugh, D Murphy, D Molloy (0-6, 2f); J Carroll (1-0), M Murphy (0-1), D McLaughlin. Subs: C Morrisson for Carroll; P McGee for Classon; P McNelis for McLaughlin.

ARMAGH: R McGuinness; M McConville, D OCallaghan, J Morgan; M Shields (0-1), G McCoey, D Cumiskey; A Duffy, S Sheridan; R Grugan (0-1, f), J Clarke (0-1, f), T Donnelly (0-1); K Hoey, C Rafferty (0-1), F Hanratty (0-4, 4f). Subs: R Kennedy for J Clarke; E McGeown for K Hoey.

Referee: E McHugh (Tyrone).


Down prove no match for Cavan

Cavan 3-14 Down 1-08:

  CAVAN advanced to the next stage of this competition after an easy victory at Kingspan-Breffni Park last night. Down scored in the first and second minutes through Paul McPolin and Paul Devlin (free), but after that they were totally overwhelmed.

With David Givney and Gearóid McKiernan dominant in midfield, the home forwards were gifted an abundance of possession.

Cavan were in turbo-charged mode early on and goals by Declan McKiernan (third minute) and Conor McClarey (25th) had their opponents reeling, and they raced to a 2-7 to 0-2 interval lead.

Cavan coasted home as substitute Michael O'Reilly blasted the ball to the net on the hour mark to render Christy Duggan's late goal meaningless.

CAVAN: M Smith; P Carroll, R Dunne, D Tighe; D Graham, J McEnroe, T Reilly; G McKiernan (0-2), D Givney (0-2); N Smith, N McDermott (0-4, two frees), B Reilly (0-1); B Fitzpatrick, D McKiernan (1-3, one free), C McClarey (1-1). Subs; B Murray (0-1) for J McEnroe (inj 41 mins); C Smith for N Smith (46); S Tierney for D McKiernan (52); M O'Reilly (1-0) for B Reilly (56).

DOWN: K Gordon; R McGovern, D Turley, O Costello; C Poland, M Higgins, D O'Hagan (0-1); A McArdle, R Digney; P Devlin (0-3, all frees), C Harrison, B Kane; J Connolly, E Toner (0-1), P McPolin (0-2). Subs: B O'Reilly for C Harrison, C Duggan (1-1) for A McArdle (both half-time); G McAnulty for B Kane (35 mins); A McConville for J Connolly (45); M Magee for P Devlin (52).

Referee: F Cleary (Fermanagh).

[All-Ireland glory for Ronan and Rory]

All-Ireland glory for Ronan and Rory


Ronan and Rory Gallagher joined a select band of Fermanagh senior footballers to win an All Ireland winners' medal when they helped St. Gall's to a first ever All-Ireland Club Championship at Croke Park.

In so doing, the Belleek brothers who play for the West Belfast club, join Liam McBarron who won an All-Ireland club last year with Kilmacud Crokes.

It did not start well for the duo when Clare side Kilmurry Ibrickane plundered a goal with their first attack of the game as Declan Callinan raced in to score past Ronan Gallagher in the Gall's net.

Thereafter, however, it was pretty much all St. Gall's as they raced into a 0-08 to 1-01 lead by half time with Rory playing a key role in providing the ammunition for CJ and kevin McGourty to do the damage. Indeed, Rory saw plenty of the ball and had a few chances himself in the first half but failed to find the mark for a dominant St. Gall's.

Ronan, apart from that early Kilmurry goal, had little to do with St. Gall's well on their way by half-time.


The game continued in a similar vein in the second half with St. Gall's in control in all sectors and they added to their lead 0-11 to 1-01 after the opening ten minutes of the half before Kilmurry scored their first point from play of the game.

Rory Gallagher then hit back immediately for Galls when he could have gone for goal but he used all his experience to fist over the bar and restore St. Gall's lead to 0-12 to 1-02.

Fermanagh football may have had a few bad weeks but this win for the Gallaghers is a welcome boost for the game in the County and no doubt the two boys will enjoy becoming members of Fermanagh All-Ireland football medal winners as St. Gall's triumphed 0-13 to 1-05.

[Wicklow to provide acid test for Owen's Deise]

Wicklow to provide acid test for Owen's Deise

BY PHIL FANNING

Having enjoyed a week's respite from hostilities last weekend following their crucial win over Limerick a week earlier, Waterford will go into next Sunday's vital clash with promotion rivals Wicklow fresh and ready to give their all knowing that a win here would put them in pole position for a top two spot and promotion as well as a place in the divisional final.

The remaining games in the campaign would see them away to Kilkenny and at home to Clare in their final deciding game.

Waterford go into this game a point behind Wicklow following the latter's home draw against Limerick last weekend but with a game less played so a win on Sunday followed by a win over Kilkenny would certainly see Waterford finish ahead of Wicklow on the league table leaving the last game against Clare a virtual decider for both teams.

The big question out there for Waterford concerns the position of Gary Hurney who is no longer involved with the senior hurlers.

Arguably the best footballer in the county on his day Hurney's return to the football panel would be a huge boost and even if he does not start on Sunday his presence on the sideline would give John Owens some real options during the course of the game.

Elsewhere the Waterford line up is unlikely to differ too much from that which beat Limerick and a big plus in that game was the return to form of Wayne Hennessy who scored the winning point.



In Wicklow they face a side that, under the maestro himself, Mick O'Dwyer, has produced some sparkling performances in the Leinster championship in recent years but has failed to make corresponding progress in the league.

Indications are that promotion is seen as a priority in the team's development this year and consequently a big effort can be expected in Fraher Field on Sunday.

This is Waterford's biggest test to date. The win over Limerick will have forewarned Wicklow of the task they face and Waterford will need all of their big guns firing on all cylinders on Sunday.

That means the O'Gormans and Shane Briggs being at their best in defence and Liam O'Lionain, Brian Wall and Wayne Hennessy coming through with the scores in attack. It is a pity that the game clashes with the big hurling tie in Thurles but this is a day when the football public should rally to these players in what essentially could be their biggest game of the year.

Sunday  at Fraher Field
Allianz N. F. L. Div. 4
Waterford Vs. Wicklow at 2.30 p.m.

[Munster U21 FC Final]

Munster U21 FC Final

Kerry v Tipperary

The Munster Under 21 Football Championship Final between Kerry and Tipperary will take place on Wednesday March 31st at 7:30pm in Austin Stack Park Tralee.

Fixture Details

Munster Under 21 Football Championship Final
Kerry vs. Tipperary
At Austin Stack Park Tralee @ 7:30pm
Referee: Conor Lane (Cork)

[Donegal minors draw with Derry]

Donegal minors draw with Derry

Ulster Minor League, Group B
Derry 0-11 Donegal 1-8


Donegal and Derry players battle for the ball in Celtic Park in Derry on Saturday

Charlie Mulgerw's Donegal Minors played out a well-deserved draw with cross-border rivals Derry at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Despite a late rally of points, Derry failed to find the winning score and, perhaps, the best chance to seal the two points on offer fell to Donegal's Leon Kelly who put the ball wide inside injury time.
On reflection, a draw was, perhaps, a fair result but with Derry kicking 13 wides in the game, they will feel the more aggrieved of the two teams.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Patrick McBrearty converted a free from 20 yards out.

The Oak Leafers responded with two scores and took the lead in the 15th minute through well taken points from Jack Kielt and Tiernan Rafferty.
Donegal regained their one point advantage when Sean McGarvey pointed from 35 yards out and, soon after, Chris Barrett sent his effort between the posts in the 17th minute.

Derry's Jack Kielt restored parity for Martin McWilliams' team but Donegal responded brilliantly with two tremendous points from Patrick McBrearty and a free kick from Conor Givens to give the Tir Chonaill men a three point lead.

Just before the half time whistle, Derry half forward Alan Devlin reduced the deficit to two points with a score from out on the right. Devlin shrugged off several challenges from the Donegal defence to put the ball between the posts in the 29th minute.

Both sides exchanged early wides at the start of the second half before Derry equalised through a fantastic point on the stand side from Jack Kielt and a free kick from Finton Bell in the 38th minute.

Charlie Mulgrew's team took the lead again moments later when Patrick McBrearty scored his fourth point and second free kick of the game in the 39th minute.

Going into the last 20 minutes of the game, there wasn't much between the two sides.

Subsitute Fergal Duffin got Derry back on level pegging with a fantastic point in the 44th minute before Tiernan Rafferty secured the lead for the Oak Leafers in the 47th minute.

Donegal's Chris Barrett and Derry's Tiernan Rafferty exchanged points before the visitors scored a well taken goal in the 52nd minute.

An impressive burst of pace and strength on the byline from Patrick McBrearty caused major problems for the Derry back line. As the powerful midfielder attempted to send the ball towards goal, Derry goalkeeper Kevin Farren parried the ball into the path of Chris Barrett who fisted the ball into the net.

With eight minutes remaining, Derry's reply was impressive. A Donegal victory looked likely but the Oak Leafers scored three points without reply to ensure a share of the spoils.

Derry: Kevin Farren; Charles Gilmore, Cathal Deery, Karl McKaigue; Tiernan Rafferty (0-3), Rory Moore, Nathan Rocks, Cahir Mullen, Jack Kielt (0-3); Tony Martin, Aran Devlin (0-1), Chris Speers; Finton Bell (0-1 1f), Gary Keane (0-2), Shane Farren. Subs: Canice Rocks for Cathal Deery, Fergal Duffin (0-1) for Chris Speers ht, Ciaran Devlin for Shane Farren and Marty Devlin for Tiernan Rafferty.

Donegal: Peter Boyle; Pauric Carr, Enda Faulkner, Gary Clancy; Sean McGarry (0-1), Luke Keaney, Jamie Gallagher; Conal McGinley, Patrick McBrearty (0-4 2f); Michael Canning, John O'Malley, Chris Barrett (1-2); Sean Boyle, Leon Kelly, Conor Gibbons (0-1 1f). Subs: Darragh White for Sean Boyle 43, Ciaran Greaney for Conal McGinley 43, Ronan McGurn for Jamie Gallagher 43, Seamus Doherty for Conor Gibbons 51 min.

Referee: Eamonn McHugh (Tyrone).

[Minor point achieved]

Minor point achieved

by Conall Collier

Meath 1-12 Armagh 0-15



Meath got off the mark in the Ulster MFL at Crossmaglen on Saturday with a draw against hosts Armagh.

Wind-assisted Meath were ahead by 1-9 to 0-5 at the interval and held out for a draw against the elements.

Meath also played a challenge against Armagh in a separate game.

Meath's form received a boost after last week's defeat by Cavan as the Breffni boys beat Dublin yesterday by 0-12 to 0-11.

In the remaining game, Monaghan beat Down by 2-10 to 1-8.

Meath will play Down next Saturday in Newry.



http://skrynegfcblog.skrynegaa.com/
Meath Minors Draw in Crossmaglen
Meath 1-12 Armagh 0-15

Meath  Minors secured a draw  in Crossmaglen yesterday against  Armagh in the Minor Football League game

Meath with the aid of the breeze were ahead by 1-9 to 0-5 at half time but with Armagh scoring 10 points in the second half to Meath's three points the teams finished level in what really was a game of two halves.

Skryne's Bryan Davis & Laim Tolan were part of the large travelling Meath minor squad  that also  played a challenge  match against Armagh  minor panel. Both players featured on the scoresheet and would be happy with their contribution.

Meath Team for Ulster minor League Game - Conor McHugh, Alastar Doyle, Conor McGill, Sean Gaffney, Fergus Toolan, Brian Moore (captain), Phelim Dowling(0-1), Farrell McManus, David Lynch, Danny McGovern (1-2), Conor Devereux (0-2), Paddy Haslam, Liam Tolan(0-2), Daniel Queeney (0-4), James Conlon. Subs - Mattie Devine for Sean Gaffney, Brian Davis(0-1) for Liam Tolan, Donal Landy for James Conlon.

[Donegal U-21s Get Their Chance]

Donegal U-21s Get Their Chance

23 March 2010
By Tom Comack

Donegal U-21's get the championship season up and running tomorrow night when they face Armagh, in Brewster Park, Enniskillen, in the quarter-final of the Ulster U-21 championship. (throw-in 8pm)

The game, which was originally fixed for Healy Park in Omagh was moved to Brewster Park last week by the Ulster Council. Donegal are managed by former senior star Jim McGuinness, with Peter McGinley, Pat Shovlin (Ardara) and Maxi Curran.

Like for the senors, Michael Murphy will carry the big threat and he will be joined in the team by his county colleague Leo McLoone. In all Donegal have up to nine survivors - Declan Walsh, Eamonn Doherty, Paddy McGrath, Leo McLoone, Peter McGee, Danny Curran, Danny Murphy, Mark McHugh and Michael Murphy - that featured at some stage in last years semi-final defeat by Armagh. The Orchard men won that tie pretty easy on a 1-10 to 0-6 scoreline.

"It's a tough draw. As tough as you could get. But our preparations have gone well and we have the work done and it is now a matter of putting all that work to good use and carrying out our game plan," said McGuinness.

"I have a fair idea of the starting team alright but we have a few niggly injury problems and we still have to make the final call on one or two positions. We won't finalise the team until we meet up on Wednesday."

As well as the aforementioned survivors from last year others in contention for a starting place include Kevin Mulhern, Cloughaneely, who was a member of 2009 squad; last season's minors Dermot 'Brick' Molloy, Peter Boyle (who is still a minor), Peter McGonagle and Michael McEniff as well as St. Michael's Daniel McLaughlin; James Carroll, Gaoth Dobhair and Cillian Morission, Naomh Adhamhnáin.

Tomorrow night's meeting is the third in three years between the counties in the U-21 championship and they also met at minor level at the corresponding age in 2007 and many of the players will be quite famuilar with each other.

With the record standing at two-one in favour of Armagh, Donegal will be anxious to even things up in Brewster Park and advance to an Ulster semi-final meeting with the winners of Derry and Fermanagh, who also meet tomorrow night.