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Donegal
win McKenna Cup Semi Final against Down - 25/01/04
2004
Dr McKenna Cup Semi Final
Down
1-11 v Donegal 3-08 
@ 2.00 p.m. Clones, Sun 25th Jan 2004
Donegal dominated the first half and at one stage led by
13 points. That was largely thanks to three goals in as
many minutes late in the first half with Johnny McCafferty
hitting the net twice. However, Down's Colm McCrickard netted
late in the first period and the Mournemen chipped away
at Donegal's lead thereafter before time ran out.
Donegal boss Brian McEniff was not the
game due to having surgery last week and his backroom men
PJ McGowan and Michael Oliver McIntyre took charge for the
Clones contest. The duo must have been delighted with their
team's first half display.
Brendan Devenney looked especially sharp
and it was the St Eunan's man who notched the third Donegal
goal which added to McCafferty's two strikes. The three
goals is as many minutes left Donegal 3-6 to 0-2 ahead with
two minutes of the first half remaining.
McCrickard then netted for Down before
the break but Donegal still seemed well in control. However,
Devenney had to leave the field early in the second half
and Donegal then seemed to wilt.
Their final score of the match came nine
minutes into the second half. Down took control and but
for some splendid goalkeeping from Tony Blake and poor Mourne
finishing, Paddy O'Rourke's charges would have completed
a remarkable comeback.
Blake made one brilliant save to turn an
Aidan O'Prey shot round the post for a '45. However, O'Prey
was also guilty of a bad miss when he had only Blake to
beat.
Down's free-taking was also poor with Liam
Doyle and McCrickard off-target from several opportunities.
The win earns Donegal a place in the final against Tyrone.
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