When Gaoth Dobhair sent on their big guns – who’d all been left out of the starting XV – for the last 15 minutes, it was a case of too little too late.
Glenfin 2-11 Gaoth Dobhair 0-6
By Charlie Collins at Pairc Taobhoige
Glenfin, via an excellent team performance and thanks to two goals in as many minutes from Jason Morrow and Cian McGlynn, were ten points up when Gaoth Dobhair sent on Eamonn Collum, Gary McFadden, Daire Ó Baoill (pictured) and Michael Carroll.
Eight days out from an Ulster senior club clash in Antrim, and six days after they won the Donegal SFC final, Gaoth Dobhair kept the quartet in reserve and paid the price as they relinquished their U21 crown in the process.
Glenfin led 0-4 to 0-2 after a tepid opening half with Aaron McGlynn, Stephen Carr, Odhrán McGlynn and Morrow on the mark.
When Odhran McGlynn, Kyle O’Meara and Cian McGlynn posted quick fire scores at the start of part two, the signs were looking ominous for Gaoth Dobhair.
Glenfin bagged their opening goal in the 37th minute. Carr made the breakthrough with a fine run, only for the ball to be broken away by a Gaoth Dobhair defender. But Cian McGlynn pounced to hammer past Gavin Sweeney.
Just a minute later, Glenfin broke down the right, Morrow burst through and gave Sweeney no chance.
Gaoth Dobhair called on the heavy artillery, but it wasn’t enough for a comeback as Glenfin teed up a Bank Holiday Monday quarter-final against derby rivals Sean MacCumhaills.
Glenfin: Liam O’Meara; Ross Marley, Packie McGrath, Shane O’Donnell; Matthew McGinley, Aodhfin McGlynn, Stephen Carr (0-3f); Kyle Doherty, Jason Morrow (1-1); David Carr, Karl McGlynn, Aaron McGlynn (0-1); Kyle O’Meara (0-1), Conor McBride, Odhran McGlynn (0-2). Subs: Cian McGlynn (1-2) for McBride (black card, 24), Darren Marley for O’Donnell (45), Jack Marley for K.O’Meara (57), Adam Marley for O.McGlynn (60).
Gaoth Dobhair: Gavin Sweeney; John Brown, Daniel McLaughlin, Michael Roarty; Conor McFadden, Ryan Kelly, Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride; Dylan O’Donnell, Sean O Baoill; Mark McFadden, Seaghan Ferry, Liam Wiggins; Ethan Harkin (0-1f), Conor Boyle (0-3, 1f), Cathal Gillespie (0-2f). Subs: Shane Mac Niallais for McLaughlin (17), Eamonn Collum for Mac Niallais (45), Gary McFadden for Roarty (45), Daire Ó Baoill for Boyle (45), Michael Carroll for McFadden (45).
Referee: Michael McShane (Kilcar).
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