Football

Ulster SFC, Cavan v Donegal - how the Tir Chonaill players rated

Donegal's Michael Murphy in action during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi Final between Cavan and Donegal on 05-08-2022 at St Tiernachs Park Clones. Pic Philip Walsh.
Donegal's Michael Murphy in action during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi Final between Cavan and Donegal on 05-08-2022 at St Tiernachs Park Clones. Pic Philip Walsh. Donegal's Michael Murphy in action during the Ulster GAA Football Senior Championship Semi Final between Cavan and Donegal on 05-08-2022 at St Tiernachs Park Clones. Pic Philip Walsh.

Shaun Patton: Cavan only pushed up on his kick-outs when they were chasing the game late on, but the Letterkenny man was typically unfazed. Crucially got fingertips to James Smith’s goalbound shot before half-time, which came back off the crossbar. 7

Caolan Ward: Found Madden’s movement hard to handle early on, fared better on O’Reilly before being withdrawn. 6.5

Brendan McCole: Shut out Rian O’Neill the last day but really struggled with Lynch in the first half. Eventually moved onto Smith and looked more comfortable. 6

Stephen McMenamin: Picked up McKiernan but lost the Cavan Gaels man as he hit a second half purple patch, and also for an early goal chance that fell McKiernan’s way. 6.5

Peadar Mogan: Full of energy and strong as an ox, Mogan typified Donegal’s spirit of defiance as they grabbed the ascendancy after half-time. Popped up everywhere. 8.5

Ryan McHugh: Fell back into a sweeping role for much of the day, especially once McFadden departed after half-time, with only a handful of forays upfield. 6.5

Eoghan Ban Gallagher: Raiding runs from deep punched holes in the Cavan rearguard at times, and held the previously unstoppable Paddy Lynch scoreless from play after moving onto the Crosserlough man in the second half. 8.5

Hugh McFadden: Drafted in before throw-in and popped up all over, though to no great effect, before a head injury forced him off just seconds into the second half. 6

Jason McGee: Struggled with Galligan in the first half but grew in influence as the game wore on, winning some crucial possession. 7

Ciaran Thompson: Roamed around to try and get on the ball but struggled to get into the game until after the break. Showcased his kick-passing skills with a clever pass into Murphy for his score. 6.5

Michael Murphy: See Star Man

Shane O’Donnell: Worked hard but more perspiration that inspiration on a balmy day in Clones. 6

Michael Langan: Not his usual dynamic self as Cavan limited the St Michael’s man. 6

Jamie Brennan: Penetrative runs were always a threat, and landed three points from play in the first half as the Tir Chonaill attack was idling at times. Shot that dropped short led to first goal. Hard to handle on days like this. 8.5

Patrick McBrearty: Largely peripheral in the first half as Killian Brady and Moynagh combined to curtail him cutting in on the loop. Study in economy after the break, landed a cracking point without looking at the posts and in the right place to slam home late goal. 7

Substitutes

Caolan McGonagle: Replaced McFadden just after half-time - miscontrolled first possession but soon found his stride, bursting through for a score minutes later. 7

Odhran McFadden-Ferry: Replaced Ward and ensured Cavan sub Reilly was unable to influence proceedings. 6.5

Conor O’Donnell: In the right place at the right time to cleverly steer home Donegal’s crucial first goal. 7

Niall O’Donnell: Not on long enough to be rated.

Aaron Doherty: Not on long enough to be rated.

Neil McGee: Not on long enough to be rated.

STAR MAN

Michael Murphy (Donegal)

GALLAGHER, Brennan and Mogan were all brilliant but - as is so often the case - when Donegal needed their talisman to take charge, he did. Dropped in around half-forward and got on lots of ball as the Tir Chonaill turned the tide. Put Donegal ahead for the first time and his menacing presence under the high ball spread panic in the Cavan defence, leading to their first goal. 8.5