Donegal 1-11 Rockland 0-9

THE first team to qualify for the Junior B championship finals by way of a semifinal win was Donegal, as they used a dominant first half to steamroll Rockland.

With the game still somewhat in the balance, a high ball into Mike Miro at full forward was pulled down and dispatched to the net by the towering full forward. It was part of a 1-6 outburst in the first half that secured the win for Donegal.

Donegal had four chances in the first 10 minutes, but the final touch, be it a free from C.J. Molloy or open drive, was off. They were building, however, which was a plus with Tony McMahon and Mark Dugan both constructive in the half back line.

Rockland survived some scary moments, and they in fact had the first point of the contest with a 35 yard free from Stephen Spellman that floated over after Sean Roche was fouled. The teams swapped points with Cathal McGill and James O'Flynn from a free the scorers before Donegal finally started to impact the scoreboard.

Donal Dunnion, the manager of the Kerry/Donegal ladies squad that took home the Peter Connaughton Cup, started it with a point from play after 17 minutes. That was followed by a score from Miro when he took the ball at the corner flag and soloed in to fist over.

Dunnion added his second and the team's fourth when early balls out from Anton Toner and Molloy set him free and he chipped over.

Rockland had a goal chance in the mix, but Toner made a brave block on the 20 as he inspired his team with his heart and play. His long ball on the 24th minute from the midfield line was pulled down by Miro, who swiveled and planted it in the right corner for an excellent goal.

Two Molloy frees made it 1-6 to 0-2 with the break arriving none too soon for Rockland.

Donegal continued with their winning and scoring ways as the game continued after the short break on a sweltering day at the Mecca. Molloy, with a tremendous point from play, and McGill extended the lead before Roche pulled one back.

Anton Diver and Del Ferreira made it 1-10 to 0-3 with further scores before Rockland had their best chance of the day to pull the game back to within reason. Pat Casey was fouled as he cantered in on goal for a penalty on the 12 minute mark. The resultant shot by Nick Mangan was headed wide when John Brennan touched it behind for a 50 that was cleared easily. Rockland needed much more.

When they had a point cancelled out for a square ball, it floated over and the rule states that it should have stood. It left them in a serious hole.

Donegal added a point from Diver that left the lead at 11 which easily withstood a flurry of points from Rockland, three by Spellman and one by Roche, when Rockland needed goals.

Granted the game was not without controversy. On one of the frees the ball careened of the defensive line and rebounded to Rockland. It was planted in the net by Spellman. The referee said, however, that he had crossed the line before the kick. They took the blow on the chin and kept attacking. Points by Sean Roche, sub Emmett Woods and Glen Roche brought the deficit to five, but a goal was needed that never looked like materializing.

Donegal had stars in John Brennan in goal, Bryan Heggerty, Anton Toner and James McFadden. C.J. Molloy won the middle, five forwards scored with Donal Dunnion, Mike Miro, Cathal McGill and Anton O'Duibher doing well; O'Duibher had an excellent second half.

Rockland will look at James O'Flynn, Stephen Spellman, Sean Roche and Nick Mangan as players who did well.

Donegal: 1 John Brennan, 2 Chris Duggan, 3 Bryan Heggerty, 4 Kevin Purce, 5 Tony McMahon, 6 Mark Duggan, 7 Anton Toner, 8 James McFadden, 9 C.J. Molloy, 10 Patrick Murphy, 11 Cathal McGill, 12 Anton O'Duibher, 13 Donal Dunnion, 14 Michael Miro, 15 Del Ferreira. Subs: Shane O'Connor, Chris Novelli.

Rockland: 1 Chris Clarke, 2 Sean Moughty, 3 James Donaghue, 4 Terrence Moore, 5 Declan Neville, 6 James O'Flynn, 7 Gary Ginley, 8 Nick Mangan, 9 Glen Roche, 10 Kieran McMahon, 11 Sean Roche, 12 Pat Casey, 13 Steven Spellman, 14 P.J. McGrory, 15 Chris Mangan.

Referee: Jimmy Naughton (Roscommon).

Man of the match: Anton Toner (Donegal).