Gaelic Games

Donegal minors complete first part of historic double for county

First-half scoring blitz ensures a deserved victory over Armagh for Declan Bonner’s side

Donegal minor captain Niall Harley lifts the Fr Murray Cup after their Ulster final victory over Armagh at Clones. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Donegal minor captain Niall Harley lifts the Fr Murray Cup after their Ulster final victory over Armagh at Clones. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Sun Jul 20 2014 - 19:54

Donegal 2-12 Armagh 0-10

Donegal minors clinched the first part of an historic provincial double with an emphatic victory over Armagh in the Ulster final in Clones.

Declan Bonner’s side did all the damage in the first half when they hit 1-7 without reply in the opening 19 minutes.

Full-forward John Campbell brilliantly finished the only goal of the half, taking a pass from Stephen McBrearty and blasting to the the net.

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McBrearty hit two long-range points as Donegal raced away with the game.

Almost all their points were spectacular long-range efforts, Miceal Carroll possibly scoring the best of them from the near the sideline.

Armagh to wait until the 21st minute to register their first score from Oisín O’Neill. The same player scored again after 29 minutes.

Armagh outscored Donegal in the second half but the closest they got was to within five points of their rivals.

Corner forward Ryan Hughes (four points) and sub Conor Cullen (0-3) led the resistance before Jamie Brennan fisted a late Donegal goal.

ARMAGH: R Kearney; F Quinn, A Rushe, C Donnelly; C Boylan, C McKinney, C McNicholl; J Og Burns, S Conlon; J Rafferty, O O'Neill (0-3, 1f), K Mallon; R Hughes (0-4, 1f), C Grimley, C McConville. Subs: C Cullen (0-3) for Boylan (BC, 28), C Rafferty for Kearney (BC, 36), R McKeown for Grimley (44), C Murphy for Conlon (48).

DONEGAL: D Rodgers; D McMonagle, C Gillespie, C Kelly; C Mulligan, T McClenaghan, A McClean; N Harley, C McGonigle (0-1, 45); E Ban Gallagher, L Connor (0-4, 3f), M Carroll (0-1); J Brennan (1-2), J Campbell (1-1), S McBrearty (0-3).Subs: N Friel for Mulligan (h-t), E O'Donnell for Campbell (43), C Doherty for Harley (52), C Bonner for McClean (54), C O'Boyle for O'Donnell (BC, 58), G McBride for Connor (59).

Referee: Ronan Barry (Down).