Naomh Conaill got their Donegal SFC bid started with a demolition job and a four-goal rout against Dungloe this evening.
Naomh Conaill 4-16 Dungloe 0-6
By Charlie Collins at Davy Brennan Memorial Park
Kevin McGettigan, Leo McLoone, Kieran Gallagher and Anthony Thompson hit the goals as Martin Regan’s team – last year’s beaten finalists – got off to a routine and comfortable beginning.
Place in the ‘group of death’ and with challenges against Gaoth Dobhair and St Eunan’s to come, Naomh Conaill will certainly not be getting too far ahead of themselves.
By half-time, Naomh Conaill were out of sight, leading 3-5 to 0-4, having raced into a 2-1 to 0-0 lead by the fourth minute.
McGettigan finished in the second minute from an Eoin Waide pass and, with Dungloe still reeling, the home side added another major.
McLoone burst through from half-way. With the Dungloe defenders backing off, McLoone riffled to the net giving Danny Rodgers no chance.
Ryan Greene and Rodgers, from frees, got Dungloe off the mark, but Naomh Conaill added a ruthless third in the 20th minute as Gallagher cracked home a glorious finish after making it all by himself.
Ciaran Thompson arched over two points late in the half and it was Naomh Conaill by ten as they parted ways at the interval.
Naomh Conaill weren’t finished and blitzed their neighbours at the outset of the second half. They reeled off four points before adding another goal, eight minutes after the restart.
This time, a five-man move concluded with Anthony Thompson netting.
Naomh Conaill showed their worth with the likes of John O’Malley and Seamus Corcoran adding points from the bench late in the game.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath; Aaron Thompson, AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell; Ultan Doherty, Anthony Thompson (1-1), Eoin Waide; Kieran Gallagher (1-0), Ethan O’Donnell (0-2); Kevin McGettigan (1-2), Leo McLoone (1-0), Eunan Doherty (0-1); Dermot Molloy, Marty Boyle, Ciaran Thompson (0-7). Subs: Jeaic Mac Ceallabhuí for Gallagher (half-time), Logan Quinn for Boyle (37), John O’Malley (0-1) for McGettigan (44), Seamus Ellis for Molloy (45), Seamus Corcoran (0-2) for Anthony Thompson (48).
Dungloe: Danny Rodgers (0-1f); Doalty Boyle, Mark Curran, Darren Curran; David McCarron, Gerard Walsh, Matthew Ward; Ryan Connors, Noel McBride; Conor O’Donnell, Ryan Greene (0-4, 3f), Luke Neely; Christy Greene, Conor Greene, Shaun Sharkey. Subs: Adam Neely (0-1) for Connors (half-time), Matthew O’Donnell for Ward (half-time), Mark Sweeney for McBride (45).
Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada).
