Last Friday a ding-dong battle between Ardara and Dungloe in the Donegal GAA centre in Convoy kicked off the knockout rounds of the 2020 Michael Murphy Senior Championship. Ardara prevailed on a 1-11 to 0-11 scoreline. Man of the match Kevin White (pictured below) scored the decisive goal mid-way through the second half. Dungloe will now meet the losers of this weekend’s second semifinal between Termon and Milford, scheduled for O’Donnell Park on Saturday, Sept 12th at 2.00 pm.
Both relegation play-offs were played over the weekend. In Buncrana, Burt grabbed the initiative right from the start. It was 0-5 0-0 at the break and the 42nd minute before Daniel Clark got Naomh Colmcille on the scoreboard. Minutes later a Burt goal squashed prospects of a Naomh Colmcille comeback and they ran out comfortable winners, 1-8 to 1-3.
In Tir Conaill Park it was a much tighter affair. There was little to separate the sides through most of the first half. Twice Naomh Brid moved two points ahead but each time Naomh Ultan pegged back the scores hitting the front for the first time with a James Byrne goal early in the second half. Naomh Brid’s Declan McCafferty’s goal soon afterwards put the Ballintra-Laghey side 1-7 to 1-4 ahead but it was level again within minutes with a fine Cian Kennedy goal for Naomh Ultan. Naomh Brid scored the next three points and while the Dunkineely side were pressing hard for an equalising three pointer right up to the final whistle it was Naomh Bríd’s day.
Both relegation finals will take place next weekend.
By Sinéad Breen Donegal PRO Mon 7th Sep