Four Provinces 0-18 Donegal 1-07

FOUR Provinces from Philadelphia are back in a county final after their senior championship win last season courtesy of this big Senior B semifinal win over Donegal. While the game was close at the half, a brilliant outburst at the start of the second half paved the way for an easy victory.

The first point was flicked over by Paraic Porter after a wide for Four Provinces to open the account of last year's A champions. It was cancelled out by Dara Breen on the run when he took a C.J. Molloy pass.

Eunon Doherty pulled off a brilliant save from Joe Quinn when he was set free by Barry Quinn before a Mike Higgins free from the left wing when Kevin Heggerty was fouled. He had to leave the field with the injury sustained in the tackle.

Donegal then ran off three points in a row. Anton Diver, Molloy (a free) and Breen with another excellent score pushed it out to a two point advantage with 20 minutes gone.

Breen was showing constantly as a roving player across the 40 and he was as adept at scoring as he was showing. His last point lit a fire under Four Provinces and they answered with resurgence.

Porter had a brace although he was now playing at wing back after Heggerty's withdrawal. Higgins then turned on the style with three points from play. His third was a screamer that he was hoping would stay lower.

Four Ps were now ahead by three in what was a long first half before Breen again pulled one back for Donegal before the break.

Four Ps added to their lead with a brilliant point from David Doyle and a second from Kieran Donnelly. Doyle was at the end of a four player move and finished like a natural forward. The game became a little heated five minutes in, and it lived on the edge for the rest of the outing.

Four further points for the Provinces extended their advantage to a comfortable 13 to 0-5. At this point, however, Sean Twomey received his second yellow for an awkward tackle.

The number disadvantage was too much for Donegal to fight against, especially when Jack Donnelly was given a straight red for his part in an unsightly brawl that escalated from nothing except a late foul. When it was over Paul Walsh had received his second yellow and he was on the bench as well.

Points from Molloy (a free) and Donnelly moved the board slightly, and then Niall McMahon rammed home a Donegal goal from 14 yards out to take the bad look off the scoreboard.

The goal was erased quickly by two Higgins points and a Porter drive from long distance. The teams both had points to end the contest, Four Ps from a substitute Patsy Moore, and Donegal through Diver.

Four Provinces had stars in Michael Gallagher, Marty Swift, who was terrific, and Barry Quinn, who was the best of the midfielders. Paraic Porter, Kieran Donnelly off the bench and Mike Higgins were also outstanding.

Donegal were well served by Eunon Doherty, who made a couple of brilliant saves. Tommy Moran, Darragh Breen, Paddy Moran and Anton Diver also did well.

Donegal: 1 Eunon Doherty, 2 Damien Ward, 3 Andy Logue, 4 Jack Donnelly, 5 Mark Duggan, 6 Tommy Moran, 7 Justin Friel, 8 Brian O'Connor, 9 Darragh Breen (0-3), 10 Paul Breslin, 11 C.J. Molloy (0-2), 12 Niall McMahon (1-0), 13 Sean Twomey, 14 Paddy Moran, 15 Anton Diver (0-2). Subs: Pat Nolan, Kevin O'Connor.

Four Provinces: 1 Michael Grimes, 2 Ryan Dillon, 3 Michael Gallagher, 4 David Doyle (0-1), 5 Marty Swift, 6 Mark Peacock, 7 Kevin Heggerty, 8 Liam Moore, 9 Barry Quinn, 10 Joe Quinn, 11 Mike Higgins (0-8), 12 Paraic Porter (0-4), 13 Tom Logue, 14 Paul Walsh (0-1), 15 Anthony Moore. Subs: Patsy Moore (0-1), Kieran Donnelly (0-3).