Stamford soar in A final

Stamford 4-9
Donegal 0-13
When Donegal broke out on top with well-taken points from Finnonan Murray and Paul Finely, spectators could be forgiven for thinking that despite their mediocre regular season, Donegal were about to kick it into overdrive.
If Stamford entertained any such notions, they quickly banished them. Stephen Owens tallied a great left-footed point and Eric Bradley and Dermot Gallagher soon followed suit. Donegal, of course, fought back. Kevin Lilly scored a great point, although Bradley immediately cancelled it.
Still, Donegal began to take the match to Stamford. Finley, Liam England, and Murray had a grip on the midfield, and points from Murray and England gave the Ulster men the lead after 16 minutes.
But Donegal failed to make the most of their purple patch, missing several good opportunities. Their wastefulness came back to haunt them when Fergal O’Neill punished a poor Donegal clearance with a unique goal.
When Donegal couldn’t clear their lines, Eric Bradley intercepted on the edge of the Donegal square. Bradley couldn’t get his shot through the defense, but O’Neill got the rebound and dribbled soccer style into scoring position, squeezing his shot through a crowded Donegal goalmouth.
Bradley and O’Neill followed with points, and after Murray interrupted with another, Keith Hennessey struck for Stamford’s second goal. O’Neill and Bradley did the spadework and Hennessey finished in fine style.
Donegal could have given up there and then, but there was no chance of that. Finley scored two great points and then Donegal netminder Eunan Doherty robbed Hennessey on a buzzer-beating pile driver that would have buried Donegal.
Three-time defending champion Donegal came flying out at the restart. After a couple of Stamford wides, Donegal reeled off three straight points from Murray, Anton Diver, and Gareth Kelly, and there was only a point in it. Kevin Newell and Stephen Owens, both of whom were playing powerful games set up Bradley for a point to slow Donegal’s comeback.
Then, just when they needed it, Stamford got another goal. Hennessey finished well after Owens, Bradley, and O’Neill had done tremendous work to set up his chance. A fourth Stamford goal, this one from Bradley, finished Donegal. Midfielder Ronan Mooney earned Man of the Match honors with a tireless performance that exemplified all that made the Stamford team successful.
Mooney’s midfield partner, Darren Doherty, deserves special mention after playing a leading role in Derry’s junior semifinal victory and then playing his part in Stamford’s historic victory.
When Stamford captain Fergal O’Neill lifted the Cup, the huge Stamford contingent was euphoric and New York GAA had a new standard bearer.
Man of the Match: Ronan Mooney
Stamford: Kieran Potter, Pay Coyne, Jason Killeen, Justin O’Halloran, Micky Murphy, Kevin Newell, Richie Purcell, Darren Doherty, Ronan Mooney, Stephen Owens (0-1), Fergal O’Neill (1-2, 2 frees), Sean O’Brien, Dermot Gallagher (0-1, free), Eric Bradley (1-4), Keith Hennessey (2-0). Sub: Sean Collins (0-1).
Donegal: Eunan Doherty, Mark McClafferty, Martin Meehan, Damien McClafferty, Sean Campbell, Kieran Doyle, Brian McDermott (0-1), Paul Finley (0-3), Liam England (0-1), Gareth Kelly (0-1), Finninan Murray (0-5), Paul Higgins, Kevin Lilly (0-1), Anthony Kelly, Anton Diver (0-1).