Today concluded the group stages of the Donegal Senior Football Championships with 8 teams into the quarter final stage.
We are now left with 8 teams all bidding to lift the Dr MaGuire trophy in this years Senior Championship.
Last night we saw Naomh Conaill and Termon take up 2 of the 8 places with wins over Gaoth Dobhair & Four Masters respectively.
Dungloe, Glenswilly, St.Eunans, Kilcar, Malin & Sean MacCumhaills filled the remaining places today.
Group A
Realt na Mara (0-07) – (3-12) Glenswilly
Gary ‘copper’ McFadden helped Glenswilly top Group A as Michael Murphy returned to action and scored a first half penalty. Glenswilly got an early goal through McFadden but Bundoran hit back with 4 unanswered points after a slow opening 20 minutes. Murphy stepped up to the penalty spot and slotted away a penalty to put breathing space between the sides on the stroke of half time as Glenswilly went in 6 points better off.
A Darren McGinley goal put the men from the Glen 9 up with only 3 minutes played in the second half. Points from the boot of McFadden added more misery to the seasiders as Glenswilly ran home comfortable winners.
An Clochán Liath (0-17) – (2-09) Ardara
A tale of two halves is the best way to describe the events in Rosses Park today. Ardara raced into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead with the goal coming from Ryan Malley. The 7 point lead was still intact going in at half time as points from Concarr kept Dungloe at bay.
Five unanswered frees from Neely & Greene took Dungloe back to within a point halfway through the second half. Ardara’s full back Gavigan was shown a straight red card after striking out with 5 mins left and Dungloe leading by 2. A penalty was awarded to Ardara with the last kick of the game and with 2 points in it a goal would’ve done it for Ardara but a magnificent save from former Donegal Keeper Ciaran Sharkey sends Dungloe into the last 8.
Group B
CLG Na Cealla Beaga (0-07) – (0-24) CLG Chill Chartha
Thirteen points from brothers Patrick & Stephen McBrearty meant Kilcar topped Group B with a comfortable 17 point win over rivals Killybegs. A relegation play off is now the task that is facing Killybegs as Kilcar storm into the last 8.
St Michael’s (2-14) – (3-14) Naomh Ádhamhnáin
Three first half goals from the cathedral men helped them into the last 8 along with Kilcar. Two Conall Dunne goals and a third by Rory Kavanagh gave Eunans a 9 point lead with only 11 minutes played. St. Michaels pushed hard in the second half but Eunans always kept breathing space between the two. St. Michael’s will be disappointed exiting at this early stage of the competition in what was the group of death.
Group C
Sean Mac Cumhaill (4-10) – (0-17) Naomh Muire
Goals win games and this was the case in the county grounds today after an entertaining game were both sides really went at it. Goals from Lynch, O’Leary and a goal a piece from the O’Reilly brothers was enough to see off a spirited Naomh Muire challenge.
The game was played in a competitive and sporting manner but referee Andrew Mullin brandished SIX second half red cards as he came under the spotlight as he blew his final whistle. Sean MacCumahaill’s march on as Naomh Muire exit the competition.
Malainn (2-20) – (1-13) Gleann Fhinne
A good team performance from the inishowen men sees them top Group C and into the hat for the quarter final draw. Malin controlled the first half and went in at half time 4 points better off. Glenfin battled as they normally do and took Malin to within one point with 15 mins left to play. Glenfin ran out of steam and Malin were ruthless up front and finished out the game well.
Glenfin now must face a relegation play off after finishing bottom of Group C.
Group D
Naomh Conaill (2-18) – (0-11) Gaoth Dobhair
Naomh Conaill finished with 3 wins from 3 after easily brushing a side a disappointing Gaoth Dobhair performance. A goal from Dara Gallagher in the first half gave Naomh Conaill a lead which was never threatened after early exchanges from both teams. The game was over as a contest when Brendan McDyre slotted well past Sweeney to end Gaoth Dobhair’s dreams.
This is the third year in a row Gaoth Dobhair have failed to make it through the group stages.
CLG An Tearmainn (2-13) – (2-11) Four Masters
Termon yet again qualify for the last 8 after a hard fought win against the Donegal town men. The McDaid brothers got two second half goals which put Termon two ahead after being four down for the majority of the game.
Another great achievement for Termon as Four Masters now look at a relegation play off against Ardara, Glenfin or Killybegs.
Pot 1 Pot 2
Kilcar St Eunan’s
Glenswilly Dungloe
Malin Sean MacCumhaill’s
Naomh Conaill Termon
*You cannot draw a team from your own group
