“Gaels are going up”
LETTERKENNY GAELS 2-10
ST MARYS CONVOY 1-10
Letterkenny Gaels completed their league winning campaign with a hard earned victory over neighbours St Marys Convoy at Pairc nan Gael on Saturday evening.
In front of a large crowd, Convoy needed victory to elevate themselves to a playoff position but they will have to endure another campaign in the Marley Coach Hire Ltd Division 4 league. This result means Junior championship finalists Naomh Ultan have now made the playoff and could be joining the Gaels in Division 3 next season.
Anthony Browne opened the scoring for the visitors in the 4th minute but Gaels response was swift with a good move up the field, 17yr old Cormac Cannon found Conor Cairns net. John Kee pointed a long range free in the 10th minute and lively corner forward Ryan Kettle leveled matters in the 11th minute.
Sean McDonagh pointed for Gaels on 13 minutes after full forward McBrearty was fouled. Donal O Malley increased the Gaels tally when he broke through the Convoy defense and Sean McDonagh put the home team three up on 20minutes. Gaels keeper Shane Graham pulled of a great save in the 22nd minute to keep Gaels ahead and a minute later Gaels midfielder Liam Doherty pointed after a sweeping move from defense to attack. Browne responded in the 25th minute before McDonagh again eased matters for the home supporters. Kettle then won possession out on the wing and from a very tight angle he split the posts with a great score. McDonagh again responded before Kettle and Lawrence McMullen left the Halftime score 1-06 to 0-07.
John Kee reduced the deficit early in the second half before Cormac Cannon added for the Gaels. Another great Gaels attack involving Ciaran Cannon and a penetrating run from Conor McBrearty put Brendan O’Brien through but his pile driver rattled the crossbar. Browne made it a one point game on 44 minutes before the powerful McBrearty found the Convoy net. Convoy’s response was swift as Browne again pointed before Gavin Sweeney leveled matters with an equalizing goal in the 47 minute. This proved to be Convoys last score as Mc Brearty (2) and Mc Donagh sealed the result for Gaels to make them deserving Division 4 champions
County Board Treasurer Ciaran Kelly presented the Cup to Letterkeeny Gaels Captain Brendan O’Brien after the game.
Letterkenny Gaels: S Graham, A Stewart, R Quinn, K Kilkenny, C Lynch, D Hunter, C Browne, B O Brien,(Capt), L Doherty(0.1), S McDonagh(0.5), Ciaran Cannon, P Doherty, Cormac Cannon(1.1), C McBrearty(1.2), D O Malley(0.1). Sub J McGlynn
St Marys Convoy: C Cairns, James Kee, John Kee, S Browne, L Prunty, J Doherty, B Bonner, R McNamee, D Bonner, E Patterson, L McMullan, A Browne, R Kettle, P O’Leary,G Sweeney. Sub M Ayton
Referee: Shaun McLaughlin.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Sun 5th Oct
