Donegal 2-10

Four Provinces 1-6

WHILE Donegal in Ireland were creating history with the National League win over Mayo, the local side followed suit hours later with a surprisingly easy win in the first round of the Ned Devine Senior A Knockout championship.

A strong second half when they outscored their opponents by 1-6 to 0-3 was the reason they qualified for a tilt at the winners of the Derry/Leitrim quarterfinal in the semis of this tournament.

The game started with a flourish with the first two scores the major variety. After three minutes, C.J. Molloy was pulled down as he bore in on goal, and Conor Hunter made no mistake from the penalty spot to give Donegal the best possible start.

Four Provinces equalized five minutes later when Liam O’Donnell shook of the shackles of Ronan Gallagher for one of the few times of the afternoon to goal. Points were swapped as both sides were having trouble getting rid of the winter cobwebs.

Four Provinces in particular were doing good work between the 45 yard lines, but time and again the final pass let them down or the Donegal defense stepped up to intercept. Molloy had a point for Donegal after Conor Brady did the spade work with a good run, then he had a point from a free when Anton Diver was fouled.

Brian Dunne had a point from play, but Diver could have opened up a big lead but he blasted wide from in front of goal with the net at his mercy.

Four Provinces finally pulled back a point when Sean “Teddy” Mullin chipped over a free, but the writing was on the wall for the Philadelphia boys as they had not taken advantage of the Rockland elements, the hill and the wind.

Four Provinces started the second half with a surge as they had a brace of scores to go ahead by the minimum, but it was for the last time. Molloy had a point and then lobbed a free from the right sideline into the large square. The ball pinballed about before Diver got it and rifled to the net for a three point Donegal lead.

Mullin had a free, then a sustained Philly effort with Mick Higgins particularly strong for the next 10 minutes was for naught. Patsy Moore was also strong in this period, but the forward line was not responding to the defensive encouragement and Donegal came out of the pressure rejuvenated.

They were helped by O’Donnell blasting across the face of the goal when he possible should have punched over. The last five points of the game were for Donegal, with Hunter helping himself to a brace, Molloy a pair and wing back Tommy Moran a sweet point when he ventured forward to help out his attack. Four Provinces started to ply for goals at this point but it was too late to salvage a result.

Donegal were best served by Ronan Gallagher, who completely snuffed out

the treat of Liam O’Donnell, Tommy Moran and Rory Sweeney. C.J. Molloy, Anton Diver and Conor Hunter were the scorers, with Molloy impressing from frees and play.

Four Provinces had Patsy Moore and Mike Higgins excellent at the back, Liam Moore and Sean Mullin were good but the rest of the forwards never rose to the level they needed to get a result.