A final worth waiting for

Under 21 county final
Aodh Ruadh 1-8
Four Masters 1-4
By Tine Sí
This report appeared in the Donegal Democrat on 6 March 1982

For excitement thrills, suspense, fast flowing action, this under 21 county final, delayed to 1982, was worth the long wait. Ballyshannon 0-5 to 0-2 ahead at half-time and with five wides to Donegal's three, were not flattered by either majority. Less over elaboration would have increased their tally of scores and maybe wides too, as they dominated this opening half.

McDermott, Eunan Gallagher, Matt Gallagher, Brian Tuohy with S Flynn and Pauric Gallagher were commanding figures, owning the outfield and Donegal were rarely in it.

Sylvester Maguire and Eunan Doyle were giving Four Masters the runaround everywhere, except on the score board for the Ernesiders soloed, toe tapped and criss crossed and many promising moves broke down without even achieving a wide, never mind a score. At the end of the half Donegal, with a minimum of chances could easily have been on terms had not Padraig McLoone twice saved on his line with the Ballyshannon rearguard caught flatfooted. Both defences were tested before Brian Tuohy lofted over a majestic sideline point after Eunan Doyle had battled cleverly and grittily for possession.

Before that we had Ballyshannon wides by Murray, Flynn and P Gallagher. Eamon Gorrell's cross went wide before Pat McGroarty set up McMullan for Donegal's equalising point. M Breslin hit the side netting from a short free, but at the other end Sylvester Maguire punished a McGowan misfield by lofting Ballyshannon in front again. Mighty Matt Gallagher fielding made the chance for Eunan Gallagher, overlapping, to make it three up for them. Brian Murray had a 60 yard free shortened to 50 yards as a Donegal player dissented and Brian showed his appreciation by hitting the ball all the way for Ballyshannon's fourth point.

Then after 20 minutes Donegal showed first postive signs of coming good. McMullan wided, S Meehan - bar a miracle called McLoone on the Ballyshannon goal line - then McMullan had a point from one of many hard-earned frees won by the lion-hearted Pat McGroarty.

P Gallagher's fine shot came off the upright, Brian Murray's long effort was just wide from the sideline, but Murray pointed a free to complete the scoring for this half.

Some action was still left and the 'miracle worker' again stopped an S Meehan cross from being pushed to the net. Jim Gallagher finally got the ball away and we wondered what might have been, and what might happen on the resumption. Most of all I pondered on how little Ballyshannon had to show for the aerial supremacy of Matt Gallagher and Pauric Gallagher, Brian Tuohy and McDermott. They owned the middle for most of this half despite the fitful intervention of Meehan, McMullan and mostly P McGroarty for Donegal.

On resuming Sylvester Maguire combined well with Flynn to give the latter a good point. Then the game could have changed very dramatically and Ballyshannon's indulgence in over-carrying and over elaboration might well have been punished very severely. S Meehan, lost hithero, came into the game with a vengeance and E Breslin with McGroarty, predictably were supporting Cornelius Carr, McMullan and E Gorrell were showing more often.

Inside five minutes we had a hard McMullan drive fisted barely wide, a McMullan (free) wide, a Meehan free sent out for a 50 which McMullan wided. Then J Gallagher cleared across the field under pressure and Cassidy, fielding, punched on to Carr who blasted over the bar when, unmarked at the edge of the square he had a goal for the taking. S Meehan won through, well supported by McGroarty who fielded brilliantly under intense pressure and slammed the ball to the net. Square ball decision ruled that score out and so after only 12 minutes of the second half gone we were on the edge of our seats.

Everything was happening and anything could happen and, all credit to the 30 boys out there, we had a grand game to enjoy! Ger Curran, on for Tom Gallagher, briefly interrupted dominant Donegal, but he was stopped for over-carrying. Pauric Gallagher hit a high and mighty ball which M Kelly in two minds went forward to, then back too late, as the ball went over his head into the net. 1-6 to 0-3 and the end for Donegal? Far from it as Meehan, McGroarty and M Caldwell united for the latter to point. S Flynn wided, but Matt Gallagher emulated brother Pauric with a handsome long range effort, though Matt's shot went over the bar. All over now? Not on your life as Seamus Meehan teased his way past three Ballyshannon defenders, but was sadly wide across the goal face at the end of his gallant run.

A Joyce McMullan wide came before the brothers Gallagher placed Brian Tuohy for Ballyshannon's last score.

1-8 to 0-4, but no one was going home with Meehan and McGroarty pushing forward and Meehan set up Gorrell for a fine goal. Breslin, McGroarty and Carr put a move together and the ball was won by Meehan free in front of a helpless Cleary - Seamus had only to tap the ball right-footed over the line, but he turned instinctively to get his strong left foot into, turned into two Ballyshannon defenders who had raced despairoingly back, and had his shot blocked thereby. One dubious penalty, which McMullan crashed off an upright, was Donegal's final try.

Ballyshannon won, but for all their glittering array of talent, half back to half forwards inclusive, they have problems at the back where only miracle man Padraig McLoone, doing much more than his share, saved their bacon. Up front little Eunan Doyle alone posed any real threat as a potential goal getter, so before the Ernesiders can reap the harvest their outfield heroes deserve at senior level they must find a more direct road to the net. Jim Gallagher fielded well betimes, but lost a few vital balls while McTiernan needs more time to get back into his game after a long lay-off. Meanwhile it's congrats to skipper Seamus Flynn who led by example and to all the boys who gave us a real thriller.

As for Donegal, with few exceptions they let Ballyshannon rule the opening half where the latter might well have run up a formidable lead in proportion to their lion's share of the play. All credit to Eamon Breslin, Carr, Gorrell and above all P McGroarty - my man of the match - Donegal not only came back, but could have won it too. S Meehan, so subdued in the first half, but so effective, while unlucky, in the latter period, deserves a special word of praise. Hard luck Joyce McMullan especially on all those near misses that normally would have been fine scores.

Pat McGroarty never gave up, won balls in all tight situations, drew opponents like a magnet and yet continued to spray balls or at least earn frees thus keeping the Donegal pressure on. He had to be my choice for the man of the match award and hard lines on Padraig McLoone here.

Aodh Ruadh's first ever under 21 county champions.

Vital Statistics
Teams
Aodh Ruadh T Cleary; P McTiernan, J Gallagher, P McLoone; E Gallagher, T McDermott, P Tuohy; B Tuohy, M Gallagher; B Murray, P Gallagher, S Flynn (captain); T Gallagher, S Maguire, E Doyle. Substitutions: G Curran for T Gallagher; D Slevin for E Doyle.
Four Masters M Kelly; B McGroarty, J McGowan, J McIntyre; M McBrearty, E Breslin, J O'Neill; C Carr, S Meehan; P McGroarty, J McMullan, T Cassidy; M Breslin, E Gorrell, M Caldwell. Substitutions: Ronan Muldoon, for McMullan, McMullan for M Breslin, J Kerrs for B McGroarty.

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