Donegal player ratings after slumping to All-Ireland defeat

Irish Daily Mirror

a day ago

Donegal's will have to wait at least another year to end their All-Ireland drought as they were outclassed by a clinical Kerry team on Sunday.
The Kingdom, for the most part, dominated proceedings with a certain pair of brothers dictating proceedings.
Most felt coming into this one was a coin toss and even though Donegal did saw patches of fightback, the day belonged to Kerry.
Here is how Donegal rated. Donegal Player Ratings
1 Shaun Patton - 6
Kerry won plenty of Donegal kickouts though how much Patton is culpable is open to debate. Didn't cover himself in glory for the goal.
7 Caolan McColgan - 5
Dylan Geaney took him for scores while he spilled possession for David Clifford's first two-pointer, which had a profound effect on the game.
4 Peadar Mogan - 5
Struggled with Paudie Clifford, who ran the game for Kerry. Fouled him for Sean O'Shea's crucial second half two-pointer.
3 Brendan McCole - 6
Allowances must be made for a gargantuan task on David Clifford, but 0-9, plus a foul for a two-point free, was more than Donegal could afford.
6 Eoghan Ban Gallagher - 6
Was shifted out of centre-back to allow Finbarr Roarty to tackle Sean O'Shea and didn't make much of an imprint on the game.
2 Finnbarr Roarty - 5
Didn't come out the better of his duel with Sean O'Shea. Conceded a pointed free in 27th minute which broke his side's momentum.
5 Ryan McHugh - 6
Forced out of the game early in the first half through injury but hadn't been a big presence in the game prior to that.
20 Caolan McGonagle - 6
Dropped into starting team but didn't bring enough. Gave away possession for first half David Clifford point which pushed Kerry nine clear.
9 Michael Langan - 7
He's had a brilliant year and was one of Donegal's better performers, without quite being the force that he was all summer.
12 Ciarán Moore - 5
Like several Donegal players, just couldn't get himself into the game while his direct opponent Gavin White wreaked havoc.
11 Ciaran Thompson - 6
Not much to report for the big Naomh Conaill man, whose final came to a premature end but he won a converted free.
10 Shane O'Donnell - 7
Kicked his second point of the day in the 48th minute and was doing ok, but was replaced two minutes later for Paddy McBrearty.
13 Conor O'Donnell - 8
Was Donegal's top scorer from play prior to the final and embellished that status with another 0-4. Their top performer.
14 Michael Murphy - 7
Remains to be seen if, at nearly 36, he will be back but he contributed well, scoring 0-2 from play and being fouled for two more converted frees.
15 Oisín Gallen - 7
Was on 0-3 by the 22nd minute but didn't score thereafter, though he did lay one on for Murphy and won a converted free before being replaced.
Subs:
25 Dara O Baoill for Thompson (23) - 6
Saw plenty of action but questionable decision-making at times.
8 Hugh McFadden for McColgan (HT) - 6
Dropped from the starting team but provided no great impact.
26 Jason McGee for McHugh (41) - 7
Got into the game, won a free which Michael Murphy pointed.
22 Paddy McBrearty for Conor O'Donnell (50) - 5
The captain couldn't provide the spark that Donegal needed.
23 Jamie Brennan for Gallagher (59) - 5
Poor attempt at a tackle for Joe O'Connor's goal.