ULSTER UNDER-21 FC FINAL/Donegal 2-8 Cavan 0-7:A MORE physical and tactical Donegal took the honours in the Cadbury's Under-21 Football Championship final at Brewster Park last night. Over 6,000 enjoyed the spectacle that was lit by flashes of brilliance by Donegal full forward Michael Murphy, who finished the night with 1-05 to his credit.
The game started with a huge intensity and it was clear what this title meant to both counties, and after 10 minutes the scores were tied with the diminutive Brendan Fitzpatrick scoring the Cavan equaliser after a mazy solo run.
In the last 10 minutes of the half, however, Murphy sprung into life, thriving off long, early ball. A massive point from play was followed by a free after he was fouled, and just before half-time he delivered a hammer blow to Cavan when he fetched another high ball into the square before rounding the goalkeeper and slamming home.
The killer blow came when Dermot Molloy added the second goal after the defence failed to deal with a 50 launched into the small square from Murphy.
Donegal closed out the game with a cuteness that had been apparent from the first whistle.
DONEGAL: P Boyle; E Doherty, C Boyle, P McGrath; D Walsh, T McKinley, C Classon; K Mulhern, D Curran; M McHugh, L McLoone, D Molloy (1-02, 1f); J Caroll, M Murphy (1-05, 2f), D McLaughlin. Subs: A McFadden (0-01) for Caroll (43mins), P McNeillis for McLaughlin, S O’Kennedy for McKinley (both 48 mins), D Murphy for Curran (58mins).
CAVAN: M Smith; P Carroll (0-01), R Dunne, D Tighe; D Graham, J McEnroe, T Reilly; G McKiernan, D Gibney; N Smith, N McDermott, B Reilly (0-04, 2f); B Fitzpatrick (0-02), D McKiernan, C McClarey. Subs: O Minagh for Reilly, R Maloney Derham for McClarey (both 40 mins), B Murray for Carroll (46 mins).
