Dublin’s young guns see off weary Donegal
DONEGAL manager Declan Bonner blasted the Ulster Council after his jaded team failed to keep pace with Dublin at Breffni Park yesterday.
Sean McMahon’s 51st-minute goal capped a storming second half from the Leinster champions who surprisingly won with plenty to spare.
Dessie Farrell’s side were just one up with 25 minutes to go but took advantage of Donegal’s fatigue five days after winning the Ulster final.
Dublin outscored Donegal by 1-8 to 0-5 in that closing period.
‘I think it’s crazy to be quite honest to ask us to turn around five days after winning an Ulster final to play this match,’ said Bonner.
‘The Ulster Council would need to take a good look at themselves to see why this was the case.’
Dublin lost boy wonder Con O’Callaghan to a fourth-minute black card shortly after he opened the scoring.
It didn’t bother them as they kicked on and were 0-5 to 0-1 ahead at the break.
Donegal got the margin back to a point after 35 minutes but the Dubs took off again to lead 0-9 to 0-4. The excellent Byrne got three of those scores while Brian Howard had a terrific game and won the man-of-the match award.
McMahon’s goal sealed victory and an April 29 final place when he blasted home after good work down the left channel by Cian Murphy.