Donegal Schoolboys League 3 - 1 Mayo Schoolboys League       Venue: Leckview, Letterkenny
J. Grant 9'                                         P. Henaghan 43'
E. Dowling 29'
S. Black 47'


An impressive Donegal Schoolboys League overcame the Mayo Schoolboys League to qualify for the last four of the SFAI Inter League competition. The Donegal outfit recorded a solid 3-1 victory at a sun-drenched Leckview Park in Letterkenny and will now face South Dublin Schoolboys League for a place in the Final. Donegal began brightly with Carlos O'Reilly and Conor Black playing a neat one-two which generated the opening chance for Jason McDaid, though the Donegal forward could only head over the bar. It wasn't long, however, until Donegal made their early advantage count as the very next opportunity brought the first goal. A free kick awarded to Donegal near the halfway was delivered into the Mayo penalty area by Jack Murphy before being flicked onto Jamie Grant in space and he duly obliged with an astute finish into the corner of the Mayo net. Jack Murphy was involved in many of the Donegal attacks early on and he himself almost gave Donegal a two goal advantage. He received the ball in the midfield before advancing and unleashing a strike which flew wide of the post. Mayo fashioned their first real opening on 20 minutes when a cross from the left was only cleared as far as the Mayo right back on the edge of the box, though he could only fire straight into Donegal goalkeeper Adrian McLaughlin's hands. Donegal continued to push for a second and were almost celebrating when Jason McDaid was played through on goal, however the striker's early shot trickled narrowly wide. Donegal did add their second just before half time as again Mayo failed to deal with a deep free kick. Jack Murphy's set piece from wide on the right looked like it had evaded everyone, only for Eoin Dowling to pop up at the back post to provide the telling touch, in off the crossbar. Enda McDevitt had an opportunity to make it three right on half time, though his goal bound effort was smartly saved by the Mayo goalkeeper. Mayo began the second half with more urgency and were in search of a goal that would bring them back into the game. The Mayo forward, Aiden Cosgrove, spurned the first great chance as he was played through on goal though couldn't direct his shot on target. Mayo didn't have to wait long however as five minutes later Paddy Henaghan received the ball before skipping past two Donegal challenges and dispatched a strike high into the Donegal net to half the deficit. The Mayo joy was short lived as four minutes later Donegal restored their two goal lead. Another expertly struck free kick from Jack Murphy was this time met by centre back Stephen Black who rose highest to head over the advancing goalkeeper and into an empty net. Mayo continued to create chances in the final moments of the game and Paddy Henaghan's free kick came closest to troubling Donegal though it agonisingly sailed wide of the upright. Donegal's rearguard held firm until the final whistle which signalled delight amongst the large Donegal following and they can now look forward to an trip to the capital for the semi-final.

Match Report by Andrew Wilson