Big win for Antrim Under 15s over Donegal

Report via the saffron gael 

Donegal 1-10 Antrim 6-10

Antrim U15s travelled to Ballyshannon on Saturday in their final game in the group stage of the Brian McLernon U15 Ulster Championship. The players had to pick themselves up after a three point defeat to Tyrone the week before, a game Antrim should have won. The Saffrons definitely had a point to prove and started at an electric pace with early opening points from Callum Higgins and Sean Duffin and a fantastic top corner goal from Callum Montgomery. Donegal responded with points from Gallagher but in a seven minute spell Antrim scored three goals, two from Ronan Mckillop and the other from Barra McCaffrey. Donegal were shell shocked and could only respond from frees from Boyle and Duffy. The home side had no answer to the pace of the Antrim counter attacks and before the break the visitors stretched their advantage with points from McKillop(2), Conall McGirr and a major from Sean Duffin. Donegal regrouped in the second half and reverted to type with a double sweeper deployed to kill the space. The home side started well with O’Donnell finding the Antrim net and adding two quick points. Antrim had introduced five fresh players at the break and it took them time to settle back into their stride. A high tackle on Ryan McQuillan was pushed by the accurate Duffin. Centre back Shaun O’Callaghan had been making surging runs all game and marked a fine display with a monster point from near the sideline. Late points from Ward, Boyle and Gallagher gave Donegal some hope but Antrim finished strong with Conleth O’Toole adding another goal and Eunan Quinn, Matthew Maynes, Dan McNicholl and Duffin all added points to seal an emphatic victory for the Saffrons. Captain Darragh Doherty was immense at full back but this was a real team victory and great advertisement for fast acting football. Full time score Donegal 1-10 Antrim 6-10.

ANTRIM

P Moyes (Ardoyne)

D Doherty Capt (Glenavy)

J McCormick (Moneyglass)

1. Gough (Aldergrove)

S O’Callaghan (All Saints)

P Ferris (All Saints)

D McNicholl (Casements)

E Quinn (Cargin)

C McGirr (St Galls)

S Duffin (Creggan)

C Montgomery (Rasharkin)

C Higgins (Con Magees)

R McKillop (All Saints)

B McCaffrey (Rossa)

Subs

R Mcquillan (Con Magee)

A Mclaughlin (Davitts’s)

R mcbriar (Aldergrove)

M Canavan (St Bridgids)

O Molloy (Cargin)

M Maynes (St Johns)

C O’Toole ( Aldergrove)

R Blaney (Aghagallon)

S McDonnell (Con Magee)

L Fleming (Aldergrove)

J Higgins (Tir na nog)