McGonagle opens door for Donegal to ruin Royals’ night
CAOLAN McGonagle’s goal was the spur as Donegal staged a late fightback to overcome Meath last night.
Meath were on their way to a win when McGonagle’s 59th-minute goal teed up a grandstand finish.
McGonagle rose to bat home from Eoghan Ban Gallagher’s ball in and bring Donegal to within a point. Ciaran Thompson’s fifth point of a freezing night levelled it.
Eoin McHugh, in added time, put Donegal ahead for the first time since the fifth minute and Jamie Brennan polished off a fine win for Declan Bonner’s men.
Meath didn’t score for over 20 minutes at the end and it was a night when Andy McEntee’s men will feel as if they left something behind.
After Donegal opened their account through Brennan and Thompson, the slick Royals’ attack reeled off four-on-the-trot via Mickey Newman, Shane McEntee, Darragh Campion and Niall Kane.
Thompson kicked four points in the first half, but Meath led 0-8 to 0-7 at the changeover.
Thompson briefly drew Donegal level in the final moments of the first half, but Ethan Devine clipped over to give Meath the half-time advantage.
Wing-back Niall Kane grabbed a pair of points for Meath and it was the visitors who had a narrow lead at the break.
Niall O’Donnell drew Donegal level with a free early in the second half, but Meath responded exactly how they had in the first period.
Mickey Newman (2), Bryan Menton and Shane McEntee hit four-in-a-row as Meath moved ahead by