Ulster MFC Group A: Donegal take top spot while Down miss out despite win over Fermanagh

Monday 6th May 2024

Donegal sealed top spot in Group A and progress straight to the semi-final of the Ulster Minor Football Championship following their 2-12 to 0-8 win over Monaghan in Ballyshannon on Saturday.  They await the winners of the quarter-finals in the last four, but Down will not be among them.

Despite a comprehensive victory over Fermanagh, the Mournemen exited the competition by virtue of their head-to-head record against Monaghan, who also finished on four points with Down having superior points difference.

Their defeat to the Farney lads in round three meant their 3-14 to 0-6 win over the Ernemen wasn’t enough, especially after Donegal’s win over Monaghan.

Still, Benny Coulter’s men were ruthless in their dismantling of Fermanagh at Páirc Esler on Saturday, with a strong second half show helping them seal the victory.

The cloudy and damp conditions made for a tentative first half with the home side going into the interval four points to the good, 0-6 to 0-2.

Down piled on the points in the second half before a first goal on 50 minutes saw them really put the game beyond Fermanagh.

A second goal soon followed and a third three-pointer in injury time sealed a comprehensive win.

The results mean that Monaghan take a quarter-final spot after finishing third and the will face Armagh on Saturday May 11. Second-place Tyrone will take on Cavan on Saturday for a place in the semi-finals.