Despite Saffrons’ Spirited Display
GAA Masters Football League 2026 – Round 2
Antrim 0-05 | Donegal 0-11
Venue: Foreglen, Derry | Date: Saturday, 23 May 2026
Match report: Gerard Kelly | Photos: Dominic Kelly
Donegal proved too strong for Antrim in the second round of the Masters League at Foreglen on Saturday, running out six-point winners on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-05 in a game that, on another day, could have been significantly closer.
The Saffrons were competitive throughout and created plenty of opportunities, but a series of costly missed chances meant that Donegal’s composure in front of the posts proved the decisive factor.
Refereed in the first half by Paul Downey, the game was played in a good spirit and featured some excellent individual performances on both sides — none more eye-catching than Antrim goalkeeper Mark Graham, who complemented a commanding display between the posts with a sweeper-keeper role that took many by surprise and gave Antrim an added dimension throughout.
Donegal Take Early Command
Damian Kelly gave Antrim a dream start, pointing inside the opening minute to send the Saffron support into early voice. But Donegal responded swiftly and with purpose, and quickly established the foothold that would carry them through the afternoon.
Donnacha Gallagher levelled matters on 2 minutes, Conor McShane added a second for the visitors on 5, and Brendan Boyle — who would go on to be Donegal’s most influential performer — split the posts on 10 to put the Tír Chonaill men in front.
Gallagher struck again on 11 to push Donegal two clear, and it was at this point that MarkGraham produced the moment of the half. Deployed in an innovative sweeper-keeper role,the Antrim number one was heavily involved outfield throughout, reading the game astutely
and driving forward at every opportunity.
His contribution was not limited to play, however —a sharp save in the 14th minute denied Donegal what would have been a demoralising score and kept the Saffrons within reach at a critical juncture.
Michael McCarry pointed on 22 to give Antrim brief hope, but Gary Dunnion’s score on 23 restored Donegal’s two-point cushion, and Boyle’s second of the half on 29 sent the sides to the interval with Donegal leading 0-06 to 0-02. The gap was flattering to Donegal —
Antrim had worked their way into several promising positions but were unable to convert, and the missed chances were beginning to accumulate.
Donegal Push Clear Despite Saffron Resistance
The second half followed a similar pattern. Damian Kelly pointed on 36 to reduce the arrears, but Donegal came again almost immediately — Stephen Coyle and Boyle pointing in the 37th and 38th minutes to push the gap back out to five.
Gallagher added his third of the afternoon on 40, and Gerard McBrearty extended Donegal’s advantage further on 42, before Boyle completed a commanding individual display with his fourth point on 45.
To their credit, Antrim did not give up. McCarry converted twice in the 46th and 52nd minutes — his third point of the afternoon and evidence that Antrim’s attacking quality, when it came off, was considerable.
On another day, with wides converted, the scoreline might have told a very different story. But Micheal Canning’s point in the 55th minute rounded off a well-deserved win for the Donegal men.
Mark Graham’s contribution — both from the penalty area and from deep outfield positions— was one of the genuine talking points of the afternoon, and Antrim’s management will no doubt build on the tactical innovation as the league campaign continues.
The Verdict
Donegal were worthy winners, with Brendan Boyle (0-4) and Donnacha Gallagher (0-3) providing an attacking partnership that Antrim’s defence found consistently difficult tohandle.
The supporting contributions of Gary Dunnion, Stephen Coyle, Gerard Mc Brearty
and Micheal Canning gave Donegal a depth of scoring options that ultimately proved too much.
For Antrim, Michael McCarry (0-3) and Damian Kelly (0-2) were the standout contributors with ball in hand, while Mark Graham’s unique influence from the goalkeeper position was a real highlight.
Frank Delargy and Timmy Connolly’s side will reflect that the margin does not fully represent how competitive they were, and with two rounds remaining in the campaign, there is plenty still to play for.
ANTRIM: Mark Graham; Colin Connolly, Stephen O’Connell, Declan McErlean; Michael Donnelly, William Wilkinson, Donald Crawford; Damian Kelly (0-2), Dominic Neeson; James McGreevy, Barry McMahon, Declan McLarnon; Liam Cassley, Niall Sweeney, Michael McCarry (0-3).
Also used: Carl O’Neill.
DONEGAL: Kieran Doherty; Enda Bonner, Eamon Ward, Eugene Maguire; Martin Donaghey, Gerard Melaugh, Gary Dunnion (0-1); Conor McShane (0-1), Brian Doherty; Stephen Coyle (0-1), Damien Browne, Laurence McMullan; Brendan Boyle (0-4), Donnacha Gallagher (0-3), Gerard Mc Brearty (0-1).
Also used: Aiden Duddy, Eugene Maguire, David McShane, Gavin McConnell, Steven Naim, Chris Gallagher, Micheal Canning (0-1).
Referee (first half): Paul Downey
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