Sat 18th Jan 2014 Q3
Donegal Town 1st 19
Newry 1st 27
Donegal started the new year with a unfortunate defeat against a very strong Newry team, as Donegal had no luck with injuries.. There is a rule in Q3 and Q4 where teams are not allowed subs. Its stupid and dangerous and today it affected Donegal.. Within 1 minute of the game starting Ronan Gillespie got a knee to his head and had to come off with a serious concussion.. He had to be brought to hospital but thankfully was speaking to him and although he got a sore head he will be ok.. Newry scored within two minutes of Ronan leaving the field as they took advantage of a shell shocked Donegal team with a try in the corner 0-5.. Donegal though started to play with real aggression and heart and next 15min were the far better team and were awarded 3 penalties which Peteso Cannon converted to go in front 9-5.. Newry were to reclaim the lead with a well worked back move when they scored a try in the corner which they converted to lead 9-12 after 20min.. From the kickoff Peter mc Dyer tore his hamstring and had to leave the field and Newry immediately spun the ball wide and with lack of numbers were able to score in the corner to lead 9-17.. Peter bravely came back on but his injury badly hampered him for the rest of the game.. Donegal are a good team and really fought and just on the stroke of half time Shaun mcGill intercepted a Newry pass and sprinted 30 meters to score under the post and Peteso converted to leave half time score 16-17..
Donegal started the 2nd half well and after a couple of minutes Peteso scored a penalty, Donegal lead 19-17.. Newry responded though with 2 penalties of their own to go back in the lead 19-23.. For the next 25 minutes it was a battle as Newry pressed hard for a try, but Donegal defended well and had breaks of their own and Gareth mcMurrey was unlucky not to score after some good work from Donegals forwards . However it was Newry to score again with 5 minutes to go when Donegals knackered players allowed Newrys prop forward to bash his way over the line to leave the final score 19-27..
The guys were disappointed after the final whistle but no one could say they didnt show true heart and spirit in their performance..
Donegals man of the match was Emmett Brogan ..
Next Match is away in Letterkenny next Saturday..
TEAM..1)Ronan Gillespie 2)Emmet Brogan 3)Shaun mcGill 4)Shaun Mahon 5)Byran Mulhern 6)Jimmy Brogan 7)Shane Gillespie 8)Daniel Gildea 9)Rory Boyle 10)Peteso Cannon 11)Peter mcDyer 12)Lee Mossley 13)Gareth mcMurrey 14)David Giblin 15)Declan Bushell
YOUTH RESULTS
CUP
Donegal Town U15s 7
Monaghan U15s 25
Donegal Town U13s 0
Monaghan U13s 15
