Donohue stars as Stradbally Parish Gaels advance to U-20 final
Cormac Deegan (Stradbally Parish Gaels) breaking with Conor George (Na Fianna Óg) challenging Photo: Denis Byrne
Stradbally Parish Gaels bid to win their second successive U-20 title took another stride forward as they cruised to victory against Na Fianna Óg on Saturday evening in Stradbally.
The hosts were full value for their as Na Fianna Óg were unable to live with Stradbally Parish Gaels pace and power through the middle and also could not live with the excellence of David Donohue.
He was unmarkable from start to finish and clocked up 1-8 with 1-5 of that coming from play.
It was the away side that got the scoreboard up and running through a free from Ennae Byrne after Shane Lawlor did well to win the free The victors responded impressively with three points in a row, two from Donohue and Fionn McEvoy also added a point giving their side the lead and they never looked like giving it up.
Eoin Mulhall responded for Na Fianna Óg, but every time Na Fianna Óg got close in the first half Stradbally Parish Gaels responded. Donohue and McEvoy hit two more points in a row before they hit for a crucial blow in the game with a goal from Donohue.
In a brilliant, worked move started after James Devoy picked out Jake Darcy with a pinpoint pass and the centre back found Donohue with a fist pass before he punted a shot into the roof of the net.
Shane Lawlor added a point for Na Fianna Óg in the 22nd minute and would not score again in the first half.
The home side then took over for the rest of the half as Na Fianna Óg really struggled winning primary possession of their kickouts. Donohue added to more frees before the ball was in the net again after another brilliant worked goal ended with Oran Darcy who lobbed the keeper to leave the scores at 2-7 to 0-3 in favour of the reigning champions at half time.
Na Fianna Óg needed a quick start to get back into the game, but it never materialised as the home side were at their ease.
Byrne and Donohue traded points when play resumed before Na Fianna Óg had a great chance to get back in the game, but Jack Behan saw his shot fly wide of Antony Skelly’s post.
Ben Slattery and a two pointed free from Ennae Byrne dragged their team back into the game and there was a small but of hope of a comeback.
That was soon distinguished after a great pass from Kevin Fennelly ended with Ronan Creery for the net for his sides third goal.
Cormac Deegan and Conor Buggie added further points as Stradbally Parish Gaels sailed through to the final.
They will now play either Portarlington or Killeshin in the final. That semi-final is scheduled for next week with the final down for the weekend of 29/30 November.
David Donohue 1-8 (0-3fs), Ronan Creery 1-2 (0-1f), Oran Darcy 1-0, Fionn McEvoy 0-2, Cormac Deegan and Cathal Buggie 0-1 each.
Ennae Byrne 0-5 (0-3fs, 1 two-point free), Eoin Mulhall, Shane Lawlor and Ben Slattery 0-1 each.
Anthony Skelly; Liam Woulfe, David Miller, Conor McDonald; James Devoy, Jake Darcy, Kevin Fennelly; Cormac Deegan, Enda Shortall; Pauric Ramsbottom, Fionn McEvoy, Cathal Buggie; Oran Darcy, Ronan Creery, David Donohue.
Eoghan Deegan for Shortall (47m), Joe Larkin for O Darcy (47m), Seamus Ramsbottom for P Ramsbottom (50m), Sean Maher for J Darcy (50m), PJ Daly for Creery (54m).
Diarmuid Byrne; Luke Donohue, Ethan Mackey, Ben Griffin; Cillian Langton, Conor George, Adam George; Oran Kelleher, Ben Slattery; Eolain Maguire, Ennae Byrne, Callum McElroy; Eoin Mulhall, Jack Behan, Shane Lawlor.
Jimmy Grufferty for Donohue (20m).
Brendan Hickey (Graiguecullen)
