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Donegal get back on winning track

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Despite having won the three championships before Stamford and falling to the Connecticut side in last year’s final, this year’s Donegal side has been far from impressive. Coming into Sunday’s match at 1-2 against a Westmeath club that looked to be on the rise, Donegal’s season appeared to be in jeopardy.
But Donegal said, “don’t bury me now because I’m not dead yet” with a big-hearted performance that left Westmeath disgusted with themselves. After a first half that ended with Donegal leading 0-3 to 0-1, there wasn’t much for anyone to feel good about.
John Mason opened the scoring with a free after just a minute had ticked off the Gaelic Park clock, but after that scores were harder to come by than birdies at Shinnecock. Wingback Martin Donaghy caught his marker napping and ran onto a Mason pass from a free for Donegal’s second point. Mason added a point of his own from play and Donegal led 0-3 to 0-0 after the first quarter.
Westmeath were beginning to look like they would go to the half without scoring. Finally, after 20 minutes center forward Paul Dillon scored a fine left-footed point. With players like Dillon, P.J. Ward, and Cathal Keane up in front it was hard to fathom 0-1 after 30 minutes, but Donegal had something to do with that. Donegal’s midfield was dominant, particularly Patrick Kissane, who gave a man of the match performance, and the defense led by Nicky Doherty gave nothing away easily. Not surprisingly, Westmeath came out much more determined at the restart.
P.J. Ward sent over a free from 45 yards and followed with a point from play that Peader Reynolds made with pure hard work, and it was level at 0-3. Tomas Maher was running himself into the match from his midfield position and Westmeath looked like they might seize control.
Mason interrupted with a free but Cathal Keane struck for a great point from a Ward pass and it was level again. Kissane quickly reclaimed Donegal’s lead after a good 1-2 with Mason.
Ward tied it back up with another free and with 15 minutes left it was all to play for. Donegal scored the next three points from Mason (free), Joe Sweeney, and finally from Donaghy. Kissane took complete charge in the middle of the park with good help from Seamus Fitzgerald. Westmeath were scrambling desperately but to little effect. Their target man Ward was shackled in equal parts by Nicky Hogan, who continues to have a fine season, and some poor service that invariably saw Ward win possession out near the corner flag.
Donegal’s band of graybeards were well represented by Pat McGill. Despite the No. 13 on his back, McGill spent most of the match defending. Time and again McGill made himself available for passes that helped Donegal clear their lines and contributed to Westmeath’s mounting frustration. Ward added a late free to get within 0-2 but that was it as both sides go to 2-2.
Man of the Match: Patrick Kissane
Donegal: Eunan Doherty, Gary Duggan, Nicky Doherty, Christy Ryan, Shaun Campbell, Adrian Mahon, Martin Donaghy (0-2), Seamus Fitzgerald, Patrick Kissane (0-1), Connie Molloy, Anton Diver, Joe Sweeney (0-1), Sean McFadden, John Mason (0-4, three frees), Pat McGill. Sub: Donal Breslin.
Westmeath: Chris Clarke, Ciaran Walsh, Peter Dalton, Davie Bailie, Dave O’Neill, John Dowdall, Mick Valentine, Leon Carberry, Tomas Maher, Peader Reynolds, Paul Dillon (0-1), Darren Pettit, Manus Murray, P.J. Ward (0-4, three frees), Cathal Keane (0-1) Subs: Frank Kavanagh, Barney Healy, Derek Costello.

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