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Donegal became the first team to win the Nicky Rackard Cup three separate times when they pulled off an impressive comeback over Mayo this afternoon, clinching their victory thanks to two goals in the space of 30 seconds with five minutes to go.
In their semi-final win over Leitrim, a slow start almost saw Mayo drawn into a dogfight in a game they were widely inclined to dominate.
Here, as they responded to the first point award by taking control of the game, moving 0-9 to clear 0-3 at the first half water break.
Donegal defended well, with Stephen Gillespie and Mark Callaghan in particular holding back the tide, but the scores kept coming, particularly from the mid-front area, where Mayo generated plenty of space and plenty of scoring opportunities.
Most of them came from the stick of pitcher Shane Boland, who shot seven free shots in the first half, all excluding two of them between 40 and 50 yards from goal.
The lead was extended to eight points when Boland signaled two free hits immediately after the water break, but a long-range score from Joe Boyle set off a sustained period of pressure from Donegal.
Three consecutive points from Declan Coulter restored the game’s competitiveness, though it seemed momentum was receding on Mayo’s path when Seán McVeigh was inches from making an interception, with Adrian Phillips targeting Mayo to end the county’s mini-drought. Connacht.
Another free Boland free followed, but Donegal got a big boost when a great run and a pass from Gerard Gilmore set Joe Boyle up, and his powerful attack from 22 yards simply passed Gerald Kelly at the near post.
Mayo was still the best-prepared team at halftime, 0-14 to 1-08 for the good guys, but after controlling the game in their own defense line for 35 minutes defending Davin End’s goal, everything changed when Hell 16 it was behind him.
Davin Flynn, having had little to no possession in the first half, rattled in the first two points of the period for Donegal, and by breaking the water, his team was in front for the first time since the first minute of the game.
Danny Cullen and Ronan McDermott were throwing a lot more ball into midfield, Donegal’s backline was now fully in control, and Mayo winger Cathal Freeman managed to stop the bleeding with a pair of excellent long-range touchdowns.
The contest ebbed and flowed, as a handful of very poor Donegal men threatened to derail their victory.
Shane Boland signaled two free kicks to take Mayo to the front, 0-21 to 1-17, but the tie was completely changed when a long ball landed on the edge of the Plaza de Mayo, with Davin Flynn making an excellent run across the line. to bat. by the sliothar, then scoop it up and apply a powerful finish.
Setanta’s great player also took possession on the next attack, but dropped his shot over his shoulder at a point range from 50 meters.
It couldn’t have worked better if I had tried. Ritchie Ryan had the strength and fielding ability to reach and claim the ball he dropped, and a quick turn and a shot later, Donegal was on the road to victory and an instant return to the Christy Cup stage. Ring.
Donegal: Luke White; Mark Callaghan, Stephen Gillespie, Gavin Browne; Michael Donaghue, Seán McVeigh, Joe Boyle (1-01); Danny Cullen (0-03), Ciarán Mathewson; Ronan McDermott (0-01), Jack O’Loughlin, Kevin Kealy; Davin Flynn (1-03), Declan Coulter (0-08, 0-06 free), Gerard Gilmore (0-01).
Subs used: Ritchie Ryan (1-01) for Kealy (29), Bernard Lafferty for Mathewson (62), Conor O’Grady for Cullen (70 + 3).
Mayonnaise: Gerald Kelly; Gary Nolan, Stephen Coyne, John Cassidy; Brian Hunt, David Kenny, Cathal Freeman (0-02); Seán Regan, Seán Kenny (0-01, ’65); Adrian Phillips (0-01), Shane Boland (0-11, 0-10 free), Corey Scahill (0-01); Jason Coyne (0-01), Brian Morley (0-02), Eoin Delaney (0-01).
Subs used: Liam Lavin for Coyne (50), Cormac Phillips for Delaney (54), Daniel Huane for Hunt (64), Seán Mulroy for Morley (66) – Michael Donaghue (0-01, own point)
Referee: K Jordan (Tipperary)
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