The Donegal NY Junior team firmed a hold on the Number 2 playoff seed with a well-played although not fancy 1-15 to 0-10 defeat of Cavan to knock them into third place.

The tie began with the squads trading points for the first ten minutes, unlike the Tir Chonnaill lads previous style of blasting into an early insurmountable score, until Milford's Dermot Friel put over a lovely point from play to give Donegal a solid lead they never relinquished.

The end of the first stanza saw Donegal up 9 to 5 but a slow start to the second half gave Cavan hope as they difference the lead to two at 10 to 8.

But hope was short-lived as Donegal scorers were relentless at building back the margin and at 15 to 10 with five minutes left Antoin O Duibhir, the Gaoth Dobhair native who has been a Donegal NY stalwart for more than a decade (2001 Junior and 2006 Senior "Player of the Year") kicked solidly into the net to put paid to any Cavan dreams.

With two games remaining, against St. Barnabas and FDNY in August, and a 6-1 record, only total collapse can keep the Donegal Junior panel from the second seed, and the perhaps dubious reward of facing Cavan again in the Semi-Final.

Meanwhile, the Donegal Senior squad regained both quality form and a playoff hope with a 2-15 to 1-13 defeat of Sligo to move up the table. With three games remaining, including one against winless Tyrone, Donegal have a possible Quarter-Final slot. Sunday's tie against Kerry and August 15 against 2009 NY runners-up Cork may settle their chances.





Ira Goldman
Public Relations Officer
Donegal Football Club New York
960 McLean Avenue
Yonkers NY 10704
914 433 2370
[email protected]
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