Kilcar remain top of Division 1 tonight despite the postponement of their game against Cloughaneely this afternoon, as St Eunans unbeaten start to the season ended in Glenties. Elsewhere there were wins for Realt na Mara where two late goals in Páirc Naomh Columba gave them the edge 4-8 to 1-12 against Glenswilly, while in Moyle Park Gaoth Dobhair turned on the style in the second half to run out 1-22 to 0-14 winners against Milford. In an early throw-in Sean MacCumhaills recovered from an early Micheal Langan goal to take their first two league points against St Michaels – 2-13 to 3-4 was the score in MacCumhaill Park.
Our featured game was in Glenties and in a sunny Davy Brennan Memorial Park, first blood went to the visitors as Niall O’ Donnell opened the score for St Eunans in the second minute of the game. Two Ciaran Thompson frees and one from play from Caolan Ward left it 0-2 apiece before Naomh Conall nearly got the first goal but Conor Parke blocked it on the line. Naomh Conall had the better of the exchanges for the next ten minutes as the scores flowed and led by 0-7 to 0-4 but three in a row from the visitors – from Peter McEniff, Caolan Ward and Conor Gibbons – levelled up matters for the third time.
Three minutes before the break, Naomh Conaill were reduced to 14 men when Dermot Brick Molloy was red-carded by ref Seamus Mc Gonagle for an off-the ball incident. The home side, who were playing into a slight breeze, reacted positively . Shaun Patton made a good save from Brendan McDyre while Anthony Thompson and Eoghan Mc Gettigan found their range to leave it Naomh Conaill 0-9 St Eunans 0-7 at half time .
The home side maintained and extended their lead in the third quarter, nearing the end of which Naomh Conaill led by 0-14 to 0-11. However, on 45 minutes it was level again as Niall O’ Donnell scored the first, and only goal of the game. The visitors though could not press home their numerical advantage and Naomh Conaill didn’t panic, kicking the next four points. Eunans rallied again but the home side finished the strongest with the last three points of the game – from Kieran Gallagher, Ciaran Thompson and Eoghan McGettigan to run out winners on a scoreline of 0-21 to 1-13
Naomh Conaill: S Mc Grath, U Doherty, K Mc Gettigan, H Gallagher, E Doherty, E O Donnell, E Waide (0-1), L Mc Loone, C Thompson (0-8, 7f), B Mc Dyer, E Mc Gettigan (0-6), A Thompson (0-2), D Molloy (0-1), K Gallagher (0-1) and C Mc Guinness (0-2). Subs used: P Mc Guinness for C Mc Guinness (47 mins), M Boyle for B Mc Dyer (51 min), S Molloy for E Doherty (56 min), S Corcoran for C Gallagher (58 min).
St Eunans: S Patton, C Morrison, E Doherty, C Parke, C Moore (0-1), D Mulgrew, S Ryan (0-1), C O’Donnell (0-1), S McGettigan, P McEniff (0-1), J O’Dowd, N O’Donnell (1-5), C Ward (0-2), Conor Gibbons and K Morrison (0-1).
Kilcar remain top of the league on score difference, with six points from three games. St Eunans and Realt na Mara are also on six points each having played four games. Gaoth Dobhair are also unbeaten but have only played two games and are joined on four points by Naomh Conaill (3 played) and St Michaels (4 played). Glenswilly and MacCumhaills have each 2 points from four games while Milford (played 4) and Cloughaneely (played 2) have yet to pick up any league points.
Both Cloughaneely’s games over the weekend were cancelled as a result of the death of Mary Coyle and CLG Dhún na nGall extend our sympathies to the Coyle and Harley families. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Sun 21st Apr
