Peter Canavan Made Spot On Michael Murphy Prediction During Donegal Win Over Meath
Donegal have booked their place in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 2014, running out as comfortable winners over Meath in their semi-final meeting at Croke Park this afternoon.
With the possible exception of the opening ten minutes or so, Donegal looked incredibly comfortable throughout this game. They would knock over some excellent scores in the first half, with Michael Murphy in top form.
Once Oisín Gallen scored the game's first goal in the 42nd minute, you felt this match was all but over as a contest.
Oisín Gallen's fabulous finish results in a goal for Donegal
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This proved to be the killer blow for Meath, with Donegal opening up a sizeable lead in the final 20 minutes or so.
In the end, the Ulster champions would run out as winners on a scoreline of 3-26 to 0-15.
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Canavan Made Spot On Michael Murphy Prediction In Donegal Vs MeathIf you ever needed proof that Donegal felt this game was won early in the second half, you needed only to look at the substitution Jim McGuinness made at around the 45th minute of the contest.
He would substitute talisman Michael Murphy at that point, with it being clear that he thought the contest was all but over. Some people were no doubt surprised to see the Glenswilly man taken off so early, but one pundit spotted it a mile off.
Speaking on RTÉ after the game, Joanne Cantwell revealed that Peter Canavan perfectly predicted Murphy's surprise substitution a couple of minutes before it took place.
Cantwell: It was very interesting when Michael Murphy went off. What's more interesting is that two minutes beforehand he just scored and there was 42 minutes on the clock, Peter Canavan said 'he's going to come off in the next couple of minutes.
Canavan: He started to look a wee bit gingerly. The game was over, so why would he risk someone so pivotal? Murphy was brilliant for the first nine or ten minutes, got them into the game and got them going.
After that he wasn't a major factor in the game, but he didn't need to be a major factor in the game. That's what he will be against Kerry...
Some might be saying what was McGuinness doing taking Michael Murphy off so early? He was bringing on Paddy McBrearty. Forget about taking Michael Murphy off.
McBrearty has looked really sharp in the quarter-final, came on today and looked brilliant. There's not a bother to the men on that bench coming on and replacing a Donegal lad.
That's why they are a team and a squad are in such a strong position going into the final.
It certainly made sense to take off Michael Murphy if McGuinness felt the game was won, with the 35-year old sure to be key for Donegal in their All-Ireland final meeting with Kerry.
It should make for a cracking contest.
SEE ALSO: A Lot Of GAA Fans Experienced The Same Issue When Watching Meath Vs Donegal
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