04 April 2011
Antrim footballers need to beat Derry in their final game at Casement Park next Sunday, and hope results elsewhere go their way, if they are to avoid relegation, after losing out to a slick Donegal side at Ballybofey on Sunday.
Donegal always looked winners against an Antrim side depleted by injury and suspension, and with Colm McFadden in excellent form the dominated from early on.
Despite playing against the very strong wind, Donegal played some great football in the opening spell, hitting five points in seven minutes with McFadden leading the line. Antrim gradually got back in the contest, thanks mainly to the accuracy of Thomas McCann and by the 23rd minute they were back on terms, with McCann getting four of their total.
The sides were level again at 0-6 before but points from McFadden and Michael Hegarty sent Donegal in 0-8 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
McFadden lit up Fr Tierney Park with a great finish to put Donegal 1-11 to 0-7 ahead in the 53rd minute but substitute Brian Neeson hit back with an equally good goal for the Saffrons. However Antrim were unable to maintain their challenge and Donegal stretched their lead to nine by the final whistle.
Donegal manager Jim McGuinness said afterwards:
“To put it in context Antrim came here today missing seven or eight players of their championship team and there is a lot of food for thought there,” he added, obviously looking ahead to the championship meeting on May 15th.
DONEGAL : P Durcan; J Noctor, N McGee, A Thompson; F McGlynn, K Lacey (0-1), K Cassidy (0-2); R Kavanagh (0-1), M McElhinney; M McHugh, M Hegarty (0-2), D Molloy (0-2, frees); R Bradley (0-1), M Murphy (0-3, 0-2 frees), C McFadden (1-5, 0-2 frees). Subs: N Gallagher for McElhinney (47 mins); A Hanlon for Molloy (50 mins); D Walsh for Noctor (59 mins).
ANTRIM : S O’Neill; C Brady, R Johnston, A Douglas; T Scullion, A Healy, M McAleese; A Gallagher, S Burke; T O’Neill (0-2), M Sweeney, C Murray; K Brady, B Heron, T McCann (0-5, 0-3 frees). Subs: B Neeson (1-1, 0-1 free) for McAleese (50 mins); D Edwards for Gallagher (63 mins); C Fleming for McCann (68 mins).
Referee : M Duffy (Sligo).
View Gallery
