Masters footballers dethroned by Donegal in All-Ireland final

Sat, 21st September 2019

ALL-IRELAND MASTERS FOOTBALL FINAL

DONEGAL 0-9 DUBLIN 0-7

Dublin Masters (Over-40) footballers were dethroned as All-Ireland champions when beaten by two points by Donegal in Saturday's decider at St Faithleach's, Ballyleague, Roscommon.

The Dubs trailed at the break, 0-2 to 0-4, but had the assistance of wind advantage in the second-half but despite their best efforts they couldn't overcome their opponents.

Three of Donegal's first-half points came from Michael Ward frees with Barry Monaghan kicking their only point from play in the 26th minute.

Dublin registered their opening point in the 15th minute when Ray Cosgrove converted a free and shortly before the interval Paul Croft slotted a score from play.

On the restart Croft had a goal opportunity but was denied by Charlie Doherty.

Donegal took it as a warning and over the following three minutes extended their lead when scoring two point from Ward (free) and Johnny McCafferty.

The Ulster side led by five points before scores from Ciarán McGuinness and Niall Crossan cut the lead to three.

Barry Monaghan replied for Donegal in the 46 minute before Dublin wing-back Gary O'Connell pointed to make it 0-8 to 0-5.

As the game moved into added time Dublin were within a point following scores from Tommy Brennan (free) and Joey Morris.

Crucially Ward kicked the insurance point despite lots of late Dublin pressure.

SCORERS - Donegal: Michael Ward 0-5 (0-4f), Barry Monaghan 0-2, Brian McLaughlin, Johnny McCafferty 0-1 each.Dublin: Gary O'Connell, Tommy Brennan (0-1f), Ciarán McGuinness, Ray Cosgrove (0-1f), Niall Crossan, Paul Croft 0-1 each.

DONEGAL: Gerry McGill; Charlie Doherty, Donal Martin, Packie McGrath; Kerry Ryan, Seán McDaid, Barry Monaghan; John Haran, Charlie Bonner; Peter McHugh, Brian McLaughlin, Johnny McCafferty; Seamus Friel, Peter Devlin, Michael Ward. Subs (roll on): Mark Cannon, John McFadden, Paul Gallagher, Liam mcGroarty, Adrian Doherty, Seamus Ferry, Vincent Kennedy, John A McMullan, Barry Dowds, Maurice McBride, Dermot McColgan, Charlie Gallagher, Michael Canning, Benny Cassidy, Micheal McLaughlin, Seán Boyce, Gary Gillen, David Murray, PJ Gallagher, Gary McGinty.

DUBLIN: Ciarán Murray; Mick Coyne, Ian Clarke, Felim Condron; Tony Kiernan, Shane O'Sullivan, Gary O'Connell; Ross Hainsworth, Brian McCullagh; Cormac Smith, Tommy Brennan, Peter Murtagh; Ciarán McGuinness, Ray Cosgrove, Niall Crossan. Subs (roll on): Noel Peacock, Peter Finn, Craig Kilmurray, David Spratt, Damien Flanagan, Joey Morris, Paul Croft, Ken Darcy, Johnny McNally, Paul McCabe, Peadar Andrews, Ciarán Doyle, Richie Herrity, Benjie Kelly, Andy Farrell, Shane Ryan, Mick O'Keeffe, Bernard Gaughran, James O'Connor, Derek Byrne, Justin McGrane, John Murphy, Anto Briody, Aidan Morrissey, Niall Bergin.

REF: Jason McAndrew (Monaghan).