McGettigan goals for Donegal U-20's prove the difference against Roscommon

Donegal made it two wins from two outings in the U-20 Development League with a four-point win over Roscommon in Castlerea.

Roscommon 0-11
Donegal 2-9

Bobby McGettigan scored the goals that made the difference in this keenly contested second round Leo Murphy Cup tie at a windswept second pitch at O’ Rourke Park. The Termon forward had scored two goals the week beforehand in the 3-14 to 0-6 win in Derry.

Johnny McGroddy who was a real livewire at centre half-forward kicked five points while Paul O’Hare, Drew McKinney, Kieran Tobin and Caolan McColgan posted the points for the victors.

The game was made difficult for both teams with a strong crossfield win that slightly favoured the locals in the opening half hour. But if it did it was Donegal through the work and industry of McGroddy, Paul O’Hare, Drew McKinney, Carlos O’Reilly, Coalan McColgan and Sean Doherty, led by two points at the half-way mark.

McGettigan on the edge of the large rectangle proved a real handful for the Roscommon last line of defence. At the other end Doherty was simply outstanding, high or low, it did not matter, as the Buncrana came out with the ball time after time.
Adam McDermott, Conor Hand, Cathal Feeley, Daire Cregg hit points for Roscommon, who enjoyed a good second quarter to draw. The locals, who lost their opening game Mayo, came from 0-3 to 0-0 score down to draw level with the clock ticking on the first half.

But thanks to late points from McGroddy, a mark and Kieran Tobin, Donegal deservedly led at the break. McGettigan plundered the game’s opening goal five minutes into the new half when he toe-poked am O’Reilly centre after it broke between himself and McGroddy.

The goal extended the Donegal lead out to five points, 1-6 to 0-4. And that lead was extended when the big Termon man got the faintest flick to a McGroddy long range free. That was on 45 minutes and while the locals cut the Donegal advantage back to three points with ten minutes to go the boys from the North West held firm in the closing minutes to run out deserved winners.

Donegal: Daithi Roberts; Kieran Tobin (0-1), Sean Doherty, Caolan McColgan (0-1); Ryan McShane, Eric Carr, Kyle Murray; Eoin Dowling, Drew McKinney (0-1); Keelan Dunleavy Johnny McGroddy (0-5, 3,f,1m), Carlos O’Reilly; Paul O’Hare (0-1), Bobby McGettigan (2-0),Luke McGlynn. Subs; David Boyle for K Dunleavy, 19, inj); Ferdia Doherty for K Murray (h/t); Christopher Mulligan for C O’Reilly (48), Conor Coyle for B McGettigan (60).

Roscommon: David Farrell; Conor Lohan, Thomas Crean, Timmy Gibbons; Cian Kelly, Oisín Cregg, Brian O’Hara Duggan; Cathal Feeley (0-2), Jamesie Green; Conor Hand (0-2), Shane Walsh, Caelim Keogh, Mark Dowd (0-1,f), Adam McDermott (0-2), Daire Cregg (0-4).

Referee: Paul Leyden (Galway)