Conor McGurk Cup Final: Donegal 5-28 Ulster University 0-21
SILVERWARE does not come too often to Donegal hurlers, but Mickey McCann’s men grabbed the Conor McGurk Cup in scintillating style in a shoot-out at the Dub on Thursday night.
This was a most emphatic display from a team that did not have Danny Cullen, Declan Coulter, Christopher McDermott or Stephen Gillespie.
But there are young gladiators coming through, like Steven McBride, Liam McKinney (who was man of the match), Conor Gartland and the darting Dervish that is Ruairi Campbell.
McKinney finished with a total of 0-12, eight came from frees while Campbell skill and speed tortured the students defence and he finished with a total of 1-13 as well as creating several chances for his colleagues.
Two well executed goals in the opening half from the foraging Ronan McDermott and Campbell which pushed Donegal to a 2-12 to 0-8 lead.
McKinney landed 0-6 of this total, with Gerard Gilmore, Campbell, Brian McIntyre also on target.
The students hit back with some fine points from Aaron Bradley, Dannan McKeogh, Aodán O’Brien and Aaron Bradley, but they were always struggling in the physical stakes.
Midfielders Gartland and Jack O’Loughlin were dominant throughout and the UU defence constantly struggled with the power of McDermott and Campbell’s darting runs.
It did not get much better for the students after the break as Donegal continued to clinically pick off the scores from Ritchie Ryan and Campbell, both of whom could have goaled but blazed over.
And this match was well sealed when Ryan finished a glorious move with a flashing shot to the net in the 40th minute.
That put Donegal into a pretty unassailable 3-17 to 0-9 lead.
To their credit, the students, inspired by wing forward Ciaran Magill kept pressing and Burt and Donegal player Kevin Curran weighed in with a few well struck points while Fermanagh star Luca McCusker was also on target up front.
And, even though victory was assured, Mickey McCann kept urging on his charges as the students began to find their range as well.
It was score for score as the game drew to a conclusion.
But two more goals from McDermott and a real final cracker from sub Daire O’Maoileidigh was the real coup de grace.
The students never surrendered and finished with a tally of 0-21.
But Donegal’s final score of 5-28 was most convincing and impressive.
It is true that they will face a much stiffer challenge from Wicklow in O’Donnell Park on Sunday week.
But the manner of this vital psychological victory was most impressive as they showed a ruthless edge that may have been lacking in the past.
And, there is no doubt but that heartbreakingly narrow defeat to Down in last year's final when victory was snatched from their grasp was a major motivator.
A thoroughly deserved and impressive victory and one that sets them up nicely for a much bigger test on Sunday week.
Donegal: L White; S McBride, M Donaghue, P Doherty; G Browne, B Lafferty, R Hilferty; C Gartland (0-3), J O’Loughlin (0-1); L McKinney (0-12, 0-8 frees) R McDermott (2-1), B McIntyre (0-1); R Campbell (1-3), R Ryan (1-3) G Gilmore (0-4). Subs: D O’Maoileidigh (1-0) for G Gilmore (57) S Ward for Ryan (60), C Griffin for B McIntyre, C Bradley for P Doherty and P Nelson for R Hilferty (67).
UU: P Smyth; M McClean, D McCloskey (0-3), K Curran (0-2); C McKernan (0-1), A O’Brien (0-1), T Scally; E Cassidy, F Turpin (0-1); C Magill, D Mallon, J Kennedy (0-2); D McKeogh (0-2 frees), L McCusker (0-3) A Bradley (0-5, 0-3 frees) Subs C McDonnell (0-1) for D McKeogh (54).
Referee: K Parke (Antrim)
