Donegal’s third and final game was played later on Sunday evening in good conditions in Cavan town against Inishowen. At this stage Donegal knew that qualification wasn’t possible with Cavan/Monaghan winning their last game just an hour before hand. This gave Head Coach Peter McHugh and his backroom staff of Paddy Walsh and Donal Foy the opportunity to rest some players and try out some new ideas. They made five changes to the starting line-up with Aaron Foy in goals, Aiden McHugh and Odhran McGuinness in defence and Jordan Jervis and Gabriel Aduka coming into midfield. After the heart-breaking defeat earlier in the day the boys showed great determination to finish the campaign on a better note. Donegal broke the deadlock midway through the first half with a lovely free kick from captain Darragh Ellison from the edge of the box. Just before half time Inishowen equalised after a throw went astray and the Inishowen striker finishing well. The second half saw the introduction of Marc Walsh who straight away went on a mazy run into the box and along the end line and shot at a very tight angle only for the keeper to save. Striker Mikee McFadden was first to react and put Donegal 2-1 up. Yet again they gave away the lead when the Inishowen striker found himself one on one with the keeper and finished well to make it 2-2. Donegal looked like the side that was going to win the game and very nearly did when Jordan Jervis lofted a lovely ball in over Mikee McFadden’s shoulder and with great technique kept his eye on the ball and struck it on the volley only for it to crash of the underside of the crossbar and was cleared to safety. It would have being a wonder goal worthy of winning any match. Although the game ended 2-2 there were good displays from Gabriel Aduka, Connor O’Reilly, Darragh Ellison. Donegal where happy with the way they picked themselves up after the earlier defeat and showed that it was a one-off poor performance and know what they can expect of themselves in the future. Great credit has to go to the management team, parents and families who travelled to support the boys and especially all 18 boys who played their part and gave everything they had. They all know the great honour it is to represent their county and that they certainly did just that over the weekend.
DONEGAL SCHOOLBOYS: Owen McGonigle, Ronan Gallagher, Liam McFadden, Dillon O’Brien, P.J. McDaid, Darragh Ellison (captain), Connor O’Reilly, Mark Walsh, Mikee McFadden, Joel Bradley Walsh, Connor Doherty, Gabriel Aduka, Aiden McHugh, Ronan Boyce, Jordan Jervis, Odhran McGuinness, Jason Martin, Aaron Foy.