Donegal Masters take All-Ireland Plate final with win over London

Donegal Masters lifted their fifth All-Ireland title in 10 years with a good win over London in the Masters Plate final in Kingspan Breffni Park.

They had already won the Plate three times before as well as the All-Ireland Cup with Paul Gallagher, Sean McDaid and David McShane involved in all five teams.

They came good after a poor opening quarter and after that played some very attractive football to run out seven point winners.

They were minus Nicky McGarrigle and Benny Boyle but had Cloughaneely’s Shaun Maguire on board and he played around 30 minutes as he has an important game tomorrow for his club against Aodh Ruadh.

London won the toss and elected to play against the stiff breeze. And it seemed a very  good choice as they led by 0-2 to no score after 23 minutes.

They had dominated most of the play with Donegal hitting five wides and seemingly out of sorts. Michael Molloy, formerly of Kilcar, had both their points from frees inside the first six minutes.

Donegal Masters celebrate their win

Donegal just couldn't come to terms with the breeze but then, as if a switch was turned on, they came to life in the final 10 minutes. Damien Browne set them on their way with a pointed free after the lively Nigel McMonagle was fouled.

From the kick-out Stephen Coyle added a second, courtesy of a Shaun Maguire pass. Gerard McBrearty won a turnover and found Shaun Maguire for the third.

Eunan Keaveney then chipped in with two quick points before Damien Browne converted a free from the '45' line, won by Brian McLaughlin.

McLaughlin then had a goal chance but was in two minds and blazed  high and wide before Stephen Coyle  hit the point of the half on the stroke of the half-time whistle.

Half-time: Donegal 0-7, London 0-2.

London lost Michael Molloy to injury and with him went much of their scoring power. Joe McMahon did pull a point back from a free on 45 seconds but Donegal replied through the lively Nigel McMonagle. Ciaran Deely had a long distance point on 43 minutes but again McMonagle replied and Shaun Maguire added another on 50 minutes.

London’s threat diminished as the half wore on and Eunan Keaveney added another point on 56 minutes.They were not helped by Paul McDermott getting a red card after 38 minutes.

Donegal closed out the scoring with points from Eunan Keaveney and a Damien Browne free to one in reply from Maurice Hodnett.

Donegal scorers: Eunan Keaveney 0-3; Damien Browne 0-3,3f; Nigel McMonagle, Stephen Coyle, Shaun Maguire 0-2 each.

London scorers: Michael Molloy 0-2,2f; Joe McMahon (f), Ciaran Daly, Maurice Hodnett 0-1 each,

Donegal: Karl O'Brien; Paddy Joe Doohan, Eamonn Ward, Enda Bonner; Martin Donaghy, Conor McShane, Sean McDaid; Damien Browne, Brian Doherty; Gavin McGinley, Eunan Keaveney, Nigel McGonagle; Gerard McBrearty, Brian McLaughlin, Shaun Maguire.

Subs: Paddy Hannigan for Doohan; Stephen Coyle for G McGinley; Aaron Thompson for Donaghey; Benny Quinn for Keaveney; Eunan Keaveney for Maguire; Gavin McConnell for McCrudden; Hugh Foy for B Doherty; Shaun Maguire for McConnell; Eamon McHugh, Diarmaid Slevin, Joe O'Donnell, Michael Canning, Paul Gallagher, Aidan Duddy, Stephen Nairn, Seamus Hegarty, Steven Doherty, Andrew McMorrow, David McShane, Gary Gillen, Barry Nelis, Antoine O'Hara

London: Ciaran McGann; Conor Mone, Danny Ryan, Thomas Gallagher; John Reddington, Ciaran Deely, PJ Meehan; Gary Kane, Paul McDermott; Paddy Donaghy, Michael Molloy, David Cannon; Jonathon Douglas, Brendan Friel, Joe McMahon.

Subs: Alan Mooney, Mark Mulholland, Frank Kane, Ciaran Langford, Damian Harte, Vinny  Murphy, Fergal Cunningham, Maurice Hodnett, Colum Reilly, Michael Green, Niall Quinn, Aaron O'Connor, Justin Quinn.

Referee: Packie Smyth (Cavan)