Understrength Donegal minors give their all but come up short against Kildare

Donegal bowed out of the All-Ireland minor championship after giving their all against Kildare in St Tiernach's Park, Clones.

Donegal were forced to play without a number of first choice players including captain Jordi Gribben, who was injured in the warm-up. Also missing were Elliot Friel, Cathal O Dochartaigh and Turlough Carr.

But despite that they put in really gritty display getting back within a point with the game in the melting point, but a third Kildare goal put the game to bed.

Without their captain Donegal started well in the opening 10 minutes while Kildare looked extremely dangerous. The Tirconaill lads did get off to a good start with centre-half Cathal O Gallachoir coming forward to point on 50 seconds.

Kildare were level on four minutes through Austin Donegan after a Donegal turnover. However, Donegal hit back with three points in as many minutes from Alex Cunnea, Tomás Carr and Donnachadh O Baoighill.

But by the 10th minute Donegal's three point lead was overturned and they were four behind with the Donegal goal constantly under threat. Austin Donegan was almost in for a goal but the defence did trojan work to clear but it fell to Dylan O'Dwyer and his effort from close range went just over the crossbar.

But within 40 seconds the ball was in the Donegal net with centre-half back Finn Dowling firing home. It got worse a minute later when Paddy Ryan was on the end of another slick more to fire home a second.

Donegal did recover and their defence performed well for the next 15 minutes. They added three points from Max Campbell, Conor McCahill (free won by Gavin Sweeney) and McCahill from play after a long-bursting run from Eoghan Gallagher.

Donegal did have a goal chance late in the half after a good run from Max Campbell, who combined with McCahill, but his effort across goal was cut out.
Half-time: Donegal 0-7, Kildare 2-5.

The first six minutes of the second half saw both sides scores three points. Cian McDevitt (mark) and Evan Boyle pointing for Kildare with Cillian Doyle and Conor McCahill replying Ronan Kelly's free was cancelled by a similar score from Donegal's Donnachadh O Baoighill.

Ronan Kelly converted a free that was moved on and there was a goal chance at either end with Kildare having the ball in the net but it was ruled out for a 'square' ball. The Donegal chance came when Eoghan Gallagher got in space but seemed to be fouled as he tried to get the ball to the free Luke McGuinness.

Conor McCahill missed an easy free but then his effort for a point ended in the Kildare net after Luke McGuinness challenged. Immediately Tomás Carr lofted one over from 45m to leave just a point in it on 13 minutes.

Ronan Kelly added his third free of the half as the game entered the final quarter. Dallan O Baoill cut the lead again to the minimum with nine minutes left.

Kildare had a goal chance on 55m but Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride made a great stop at the expense of a '45'. From the '45' McBride made another stop but it fell for Paddy Ryan to fire to the roof of the net. Harry Donnelly added a quick point and the margin was out to five, 3-11 to 1-12.

Tomás Carr landed a 50m free and Donegal tried to manufacture a second goal but despite a galant effort they couldn't reduce the margin. Ollie Deller had the final point for the Lilywhites, deflected over by Mac Giolla Bhride.

Donegal scorers: Conor McCahill 1-3,1f; Tomás Carr 0-3,1f; Donnachadh O Baoighill 0-2,1f; Cathal O Gallachoir, Max Campbell, Alex Cunnea, Callan O Baoill, Cillian Doyle 0-1.

Kildare scorers: Paddy Ryan 2-1; Ronan Kelly 0-5,4f; Finn Dowling 1-0; Evan Boyle, Cian McKevitt (m), Dylan O'Dwyer, Austin Donegan, Harry Donnelly, Ollie Deller 0-1 each.

Donegal: Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride; Patrick McGonigle, Dallan O Baoill, Cathal Mac Aoidh; Pauric Devine, Cathal O Gallchoir, Max Campbell; Kalvin McLaughlin, Luke McGuinness; Alex Cunnea, Tomás Carr, Donnachadh O Baoighill; Conor McCahill, Gavin Sweeney, Eoghan Gallagher.
Subs: Cillian Doyle for Cunnea (ht); Shane McCormick for Sweeney (49); Fionn McGinty for Devine (52)

Kildare: Conor McDonnell; Rian Beagan, Liam McDonald, Cian Cahill; Paddy Ryan, Finn Dowling, Liam Kenny; Evan Boyle, Ruaidhri Lawlor; Cian McKevitt, Ronan Kelly, Brian Caffrey; Austin Donegan, Dylan O'Dwyer, Tadhg Donlon.
Subs: Harry Donnelly for O'Dwyer (41); Mick O'Toole for Donlon (45); Senan Gallagher for McKevitt (53); Ollie Deller for Kenny (55)

Referee: Andrew Smith (Meath)