WHEN THE DR MAGUIRE is handed out in October, chances are Kilcar, St Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill will be in the mix-up with reigning champions Glenswilly.
Today and yesterday, though, with Donegal’s county panellists all missing out six days before Rory Gallagher’s team take on Longford in the All-Ireland qualifiers, it was about the league.
This afternoon at Tir Conaill Park in Donegal town, Adrian Glackin’s team were comfortable 2-9 to 0-8 winners over Four Masters to ease their relegation fears at the bottom of the All-County Football League Division 1.
In Towney, Kilcar were missing a host of regulars but still came through against Bundoran on a 2-16 to 3-7 scoreline to remain top of the pile in the top flight.
It was the home team who started the better, with Brian O’Donnell’s goal on just four minutes establishing a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.
It seemed as though there wouldn’t be a shock in store but Bundoran hit three goals before the interval with Shane McGowan, Gary Clancy and Fergal McKiernan all finding the net to set up an unlikely 3-2 to 1-7 interval advantage.
However, Kilcar reeled off the points in the second half, with Ciaran McKinley and Ashley Carr impressing and Darragh O’Donnell’s goal amid a plethora of points was enough for Barry Doherty’s team.
Last night at Moyle View Park it was St Eunan’s who left with the points following an entertaining fixture against their hosts from Milford. The Letterkenny team won 1-14 to 0-13 in the end with Patrick McGowan grabbing the all-important goal.
Amid an awkward cross-wind, it was St Eunan’s who went in at half-time three points ahead at 0-8 to 0-5. John Haran was black-carded only three minutes in for a foul on Paruc Curley and while Luke Barrett’s sideline ball was the score of the first half, it was St Eunan’s who led at the break.
Rory Kavanagh and Conor Parke enjoyed fine games, scoring three points apiece, while Milford, whose scorer-in-chief Cathal McGettigan is in the United States for summer, battled on gamely.
McGowan’s goal came on 44 minutes when he was set free by Barry McGeehin and drove into Caolan McGettigan’s top corner.
Five frees from Tony McNamee and three apiece courtesy of Gary Merritt and Barrett meant Milford were never too far away. However, they couldn’t bridge the gap and Barry Meehan’s team were four-point winners.
At Davy Brennan Memorial Park in Glenties, Naomh Conaill overcame St Michael’s on a 2-16 to 1-9 scoreline.
At half-time, the home team had the slenderest of leads, 0-8 to 0-7, but in the end produced a comfortable victory. Brendan McDyer and Eoghan McGettigan were the goalscorers for Martin Regan’s team with Colin McFadden on the mark for the visitors.
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