Donegal minors end 10-year wait

July 09, 2006
Donegal……2-12 Antrim………1-5 Donegal captured the Ulster minor football title for the first time since 1996 when they produced a big second half performance to overwhelm Antrim at Croke Park. The signs looked ominous for the green and golds when they trailed by 0-2 to 1-3 after 15 minutes and Antrim well on top at midfield. Corner forward Conor McGourty had scored 1-2 - the goal from a 45 metre free - before he was forced to retire in the 23rd minute. McGourty's departure coincided with a Donegal revival before half-time as Martin McElhinney found the net to give them a 1-4 to 1-3 interval lead. Donegal increased their lead to three points early in the second half with points from Paul McGinley and team captain Eoin Wade. Antrim, who reintroduced McGourty in the 46th minute, fought back with scores from Aaron Thompson and Conor Murray. However, Donegal finished much the stronger with points from Dara Gallagher, Ross Wherity and Wade, and a second goal from McElhinney, easing them to victory. Donegal: L McFadden; D Walsh, S Boyle, M McGowan; P McGinley(0-1), L McLonne, P Thornton; R Wherity(0-1), M Murphy(0-3); M McElhinney(2-0), D Molloy(0-3, sf), E Waide(0-3); B Faherty, G Ward; D Gallagher(0-1). Subs: De McGarvey for Ward, B Shovlin for Wherity; J Carroll for Faherty Antrim: D Lynch; P Lowe, G Crossey, D Harbinson; D Hanna, J Crozier, A Gribben; G McCAnn, S Burke; M Sweeney, C Murray(0-1), T Aldwell; C McGourty, S O'Neill, A Thompson(0-2, 1f) Subs: B Neeson for McGourty, D Cummings for Sweeney; C McCourty (1-2, 1f)for Aldwell; K McBride for Gribben; D McCann for Thompson Ref: B Toland (Derry)

Most Read Stories