Injury Time Points See Donegal Win Their First League Title

National Football League Final
Donegal 0-13
Mayo 0-10

By Denis O'Brien

Donegal won their first-ever National Football League title when shooting three injury-time points to finally see off the persistent challenge of Mayo in this hard and tough league final on Sunday last in Croke Park.

The football was by no means spectacular as it was often wrought with tough tackling and little in the way of finesse, but it was nonetheless thrilling as the last 20 minutes saw both sides walk a tightrope as each side fought to break the scoring deadlock. The strength in depth of the Donegal squad won it in the end for the northern men when between the 71st and the 78th minute, subs Rory Kavanagh, Eamon McGee and Adrian Sweeney came good when firing over three great points to finally put paid to Mayo hopes.

Mayo had come to Croke Park eager to win a league title as well as banishing last year's All-Ireland final implosion at the hands of Kerry, but this time there would be none of that as Mayo showed fighting spirit all through and were always snapping at Donegal's heels.

Donegal, who had impressed throughout the league, and now after Sunday's win, are many peoples idea of the team who might lift the Sam Maguire come September.

They saw two changes from their named side, Thomas Donoghue made way for Paddy McConagley at right wing back while Kevin McMenamin made way for Brendan Devenney, though these two would exchange places after the latter's injury. Mayo meanwhile, also saw two changes from their starting fifteen, out went James Nallen and Aidan Kilcoyne and into the side came Kevin O'Neill and Michael Conroy. The northerner's got into an early rhythm and had four points on the board after 11 minutes thanks to points from Colm McFadden, Kevin Cassidy and two fine efforts from Brian Roper. McFadden at full forward was causing James Kilcullen (both former Boston players, as well as Cassidy) some trouble, and Roper was also proving a handful at center forward for BJ Padden.

Finally, Mayo began to settle and started to press forward with the stylish David Heaney influencing in lar na pairce while the dangerous center forward, Andy Moran made several dangerous raids through the Donegal defense.

Playing much better from their sluggish start, Mayo came right back into things when an excellent spell produced four points without reply, two Conor Mortimer frees, another placed kick from Alan Dillon and one from Pat Harte. But the sides didn't remain level for long as Donegal immediately responded with a brace of points from the eager-beaver Roper and the long striding Ciaran Bonner, to edge Donegal two in front with ten minutes left in the half.

Then a let-off for the northerners as Mayo full forward Ger Brady gathered on the forty and raced towards goal, he let fly a rasper but Donegal keeper Paul Dorcan, who has been in great form of late, came out to narrow the angle and saved brilliantly. Mayo got in for a late and excellent second point from Harte from all of 45 yards to see his side trail by two points at the break. Little if anything separated the teams and one couldn't pick a winner just yet.

After the interval, Donegal extended the lead to three from a McFadden free before, a pair of Mortimer nicely executed frees put just one between them. The nature of the tackling was fierce at this stage with both sides deadly serious about gathering what many so-called expert punters describe as 'its only the league,' title! Those last two frees against Donegal might have been a bit harsh as McFadden in possession and under pressure was called for traveling -a strange call - while Alan Dillon who correctly was eventually fowled ran a half mile with the ball before being hauled down.

Both sets of supporters got behind their respective teams and the excitement levels edged up a notch accordingly. Approaching the 42nd minute, Donegal's Ciaran Bonner gathered in open space before splitting the posts with a good point but Mayo replied with another Mortimer free after a stupid jersey tug from Donegal sub Eamon McGee, though McGee would later make amends with his contribution in injury time. Heading into the last quarter, Mayo pressed again for the equalizing score and the deadly accurate Mortimor put over his fourth free in a row. The crowds again sensing a grand finale in the brilliant sunlight of Croker, cheered on their heroes with great gusto. The Donegal shout in the 29, 433 crowd seemed to shade matters.

Then sub, the speedy Kevin McMenamin, shot over to take the lead for Donegal once more before Mayo's Andy Moran saw a great goal chance sail over the bar. He put his hands to his head afterwards and he knew after turning his marker and with a goal in his sights, though the angle was acute, he might have had a goal.

Down the other end moments later, Ciaran Bonner was nearly clear on goal when desperately tearing after a through ball, but David Heaney beat him to it with both clashing heavily, with Bonner coming off the worst and having to be carted off. Ergo, there was 8 minutes of injury time added-on, with plenty of time left for both sides to free themselves from this 0-10 deadlock.

But Donegal as they had done in the beginning found an extra gear and pressing again found the target on three occasions when their three substitutes obliged, with first Kavanagh's effort sailing over to Donegal cheers, soon to be followed by McGee and Sweeney points and at long last victory for Donegal.

Donegal on this display will take beating in summer and this national league crown will only bolster confidence anew.

Donegal manager, Brian McIver afterwards was thrilled with their first ever league win.

"This is fantastic for Donegal and to win it in the manner that we did in the end, this is very sweet, " said the delighted manager.

Asked about how the last three league winners have gone on to lift Sam' in September, the manger was reserved in his reply, saying, "that's for another day." C

Donegal: P Durcan; N McGee, P Campbell, K Lacey; P McConagley, B Monaghan, B Dunnion; N Gallagher, K Cassidy (0-1); C Bonner (0-2), B Roper (0-3), C Toye; B Devenney, C McFadden (0-3, 1f, 1 '45), M Hegarty. Subs : K McMenamin (0-1) for B Devenney (30 mins); E McGee (0-1) for N McGee (47); T Donoghue for P McConagley; R Kavanagh (0-1) for N Gallagher (59) and A. Sweeney (0-1) for C Bonner (64).

Mayo: D Clarke; K Higgins,Kilcullen, L O'Malley; E Devenney, BJ Padden, P Gardiner; P Harte (0-2), D Heaney; A Dillon (0-1, 1f), A Moran (0-1), M Conroy; C Mortimer (0-6, 5f), G Brady, J Nallen. Subs: A Higgins for J Kilcullen (19 mins), K O'Neill for M Conroy (42), T Howley for A Higgins (71), A Kilcoyne for A Dillon (71) and A Campbell for J Nallen (75).