Masters footballers edge out Donegal to make All-Ireland decider

Sat, 25th August 2018

DUBLIN 0-13 DONEGAL 1-9

Dublin's Masters footballers (over-40) made the most of the second chance saloon with they defeated Donegal in Saturday's All-Ireland semi-final replay in Lacken, Cavan.

Niall Crossan converted seven frees while Ray Cosgrove rolled back the years to kick three points from play in a decisive display as the Dubs emerged to face Tyrone in the All-Ireland decider on September 15.

The Dubs led by four points entering added time before Donegal goaled through Gerald McGrenra to make for a nervy finish but Cosgrove settled Dublin with a point before Donegal closed out the scoring for this well-contested duel.

Three points in quick succession by the 20th minute from Ciaran McGuinness, Crossan (free) and Cosgrove had Dublin in good stead.

However, by the interval and Michael Ward free just before the break gave Donegal a 0-5 to 0-4 lead.

Dublin's freetaking came to the fore in the second period as Donegal conceded several scores from deadball with Crossan slotting six frees while Johnny McNally drove over one excellent effort from near the sideline.

SCORERS - Dublin: Niall Crossan 0-7 (0-7f), Ray Cosgrove 0-3, Eoin Bennis, Ciaran McGuinness, Johnny McNally (0-1f) 0-1 each. Donegal: Michael Ward 0-4 (0-3f) Gerard McGrenra 1-1; Paul McGonigle 0-2 (0-1f), Benny Cassidy, Brian McLaughlin 0-1 each.

DUBLIN: Noel Peacock, Mick Coyne, Ian Clarke, Felim Condron; David Spratt, Peter Finn, Gary O'Connell; Cormac Smith, Ross Hainsworth; Peter Murtagh, Niall Bergin, Eoin Bennis; Ciaran McGuinness, Ray Cosgrove, Niall Crossan. Subs: Johnny McNally, Craig Kilmurray, Mick O'Keeffe, Trevor Tansey, Joey Morris, Tony Kernan, Ken Darcy, Paul Croft, Andy Farrell, Alan McGill, Joe O'Rourke, John Gillick, Aidan Morrissey, Danny O'Brien, Damian Flanagan.

DONEGAL: Martin Gillespie; Charlie Doherty, Packie McGrath, Donal Martin; Michael McShane, PJ Gallagher, Adrian McColgan; Paul McGonigle, John Haran; Kerry Ryan, John McFadden, Charlie Bonner; Michael Ward, Brian McLaughlin, Gerard McGrenra. Subs: Paul Gallagher, Benny Cassidy, Sean Boyce, Brian McCabe