Lidl National Football League Division One semi-final: Cork 5-10 Donegal 3-13
DONEGAL manager Maxi Curran says their Lidl Division One semi-final defeat to Cork was an “opportunity lost”.
His side went down by three points in an eight goal thriller at Tuam Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Tir Chonaill boss said the timing of Cork’s goals proved crucial, despite scoring 3-13 at the other end.
“We would be very disappointed in what we conceded and that’s probably the overriding sentiment at the minute,” said Curran.
“We responded well, showed a bit of character but look at the end of the day we are going home empty handed and that is the most important thing, so we just need to look at it and see where those goals came from and what went wrong because we feel there was an opportunity lost there and it will take a while for that disappointment to settle.”
Cork found themselves 2-2 ahead after just four minutes with goals from Brid and Ciara O’Sulivan as Donegal were rocked by a blistering start from the defending league champions. But just four minutes later, Donegal had responded with two majors of their own in 30 seconds from Katy Herron and Karen Guthrie.
In end-to-end action, Cork grabbed a third goal, this time through Maire O’Callaghan and they stretched out their lead as Ciara O’Sullivan and Orla Finn added points. But Donegal’s attacks were reaping their own rewards and they registered their third goal with Guthrie on target again and they finished the half strong with Geraldine McLaughlin levelling the game just before the break at 3-5 apiece.
Guthrie edged Donegal in front on the resumption but Eimear Scally replied and it was a similar pattern for the next two scores with Geraldine McLaughlin and Orla Finn registering points.
Cork’s next score was vital and it came in the form of a fourth goal from Finn who palmed to the net while their fifth from Brid O’Sullivan, just before the water break, gave them a six-point cushion. Donegal fought back once again, Geraldine McLaughlin pulling a point back while they were denied another goal by a double save, first from goalkeeper Martina O’Brien and then full back Roisin Phelan as Cork dramatically defended their lead. Two Finn points gave Cork some more breathing space as Donegal continued to pile on the pressure but Ephie Fitzgerald’s side held out.
They will now face All-Ireland champions Dublin in a repeat of 2020 championship final on June 26 after Dublin defeated Mayo 4-15 to 0-10.
