DONEGAL'S LATE LAG All season long, Donegal have finished with an outstanding conversion rate. Against Louth in the quarter-final, it was a sensational 81%. In Croke Park, they started with two early wides yet quickly found their range.
By half-time, their conversion was an impressive 76%. The tie continued in that fashion, point for point. By the 48th minute, Donegal had 14 points on the board.
They only mustered one more after that. Ciaran Thompson attempted a handpass and dropped it under the bar. They forced a superb turnover in the same play, only for Thompson to drop another shot short.
Oisín Gallen put one into Connor Gleeson's hands. Later he missed a routine free. Ciaran Moore sent an effort wide.
As they were chasing Galway’s two-point lead late on, Michael Langan and Peadar Mogan both missed. Their second-half conversion ended up at 36%. “The summary will be we converted five of 14 in the second half,” said a disappointed Jim McGuinness, while admitting they ran out of stream.
“I think Galway looked a bit more battle-hardened than us, maybe that experience of a couple of years ago was beneficial to them.” GALWAY HOLD FIRM Nine championship games and one goal conceded. It is a stunning record for Galway.
Tiernan Kelly’s goal after a kickout malfunction is the only time Connor Gleeson has been beaten. They have scored nine goals at the other end. Johnny McGrath is a cert All-Star; Dylan McHugh is now the leading contender for Player of the Year.
The win.
