An impressive second-half performance saw Bundoran leave Falcarragh with a precious two Division One points.
Cloughaneely 2-7 Bundoran 2-12
By Charlie Collins in Falcarragh
This was a key game for both teams in their efforts to move out of the lower places in the Division table and an impressive second-half performance by Bundoran was enough to give them a deserved victory and two important league points.
Having led by two at half-time Cloughaneely were outscored by 1-04 to 0-01 in the opening fifteen minutes of the second-half and never really recovered , scoring only three second-half points and also allowing their frustration to boil over as they finished the game with thirteen players.
Johnny Boyle gave Bundoran an early lead but Paul Sweeney had Cloughaneely level quickly and then did well to set up Mark Harley for an opening goal in the 4th minute.
Alan Gallagher came forward for another Bundoran point in the 5th minute and then the visitors were awarded a somewhat controversial a minute later.
A flowing move put Dara Hoey through on goal. His initial shot was well saved by Sean McClafferty and a goal line scramble then ensued which resulted in the visitors umpire raising the green flag but the home umpire disagreeing that the ball had crossed the line.
Referee Seamus McGonagle awarded the goal.
Cillian Gallagher kicked an excellent point in the 13th minute to leave it level at 1-2 apiece.
Bundoran then hit three points in a row, Cian McEniff converted two and Michael McEniff got one in between those two.
But Cloughaneely hit back. Sean McGarvey kicked two frees and in between Paul Sweeney drilled low past Conor Carthy after McGarvey had done well to keep possession under pressure near the visitors goal area.
The home side almost had a third goal but Ciaran McGeady’s effort was blocked to leave the half-time score 2-04 to 1-05 in favour of Cloughaneely.
Bundoran introduced Gary Clancy for the second-half and he made an impact right away. Cian McEniff had pointed a free to leave one between them and then Clancy won possession inside before setting McEniff up to shot to the net and Bundoran led by two 2-06 to 2-04.
Alan Russell and Clancy quickly added pointsCillian Gallagher replied with a fine effort but Tommy Hourihane clipped one over from an acute angle to leave four between them.
Sean McGarvey replied with two good frees, but Russell and Tommy Govorov both scored from play to restore that four point lead.
Tempers became somewhat frayed and referee McGonagle had his hands full trying to maintain order.
After a number of flare-ups Cloughaneely lost both Kevin Mulhearn and Michael Fitzgerald to second yellow cards to finish with 13 players.
Gary Clancy kicked the game’s final point in the 60th minute and the referee, perhaps wisely, ended the game at that.
With the other three teams in the bottom five all losing this could prove a very important victory for Niall Dunne’s men at the end of the season.
Cloughaneely: Sean McClafferty; Ciaran McFadden, Kevin Mulhern, Noel Sweeney; Finn McGinley, Ciaran McGeady, Mark Harley; Micheal Fitzgerald, Aidan Doohan; Ciaran Scanlon, Paul Sweeney, Cian McFadden; Cillian Gallagher, Sean McGarvey, Sean Maguire. Sub: Michael McHugh for McGeady (56).
Bundoran: Conor Carthy; Matthew DuffyPaul Murphy, Alan Gallagher (0-1); Oisín Walsh, Diarmuid McCaughey, Johnny Boyle (0-1); Michael McEniff (0-1), Niall Carr; Shane McGowan, Dara Hoey (1-0), Alan Russell (0-2); Timmy Govorov (0-1), Cian McEniff (1-3, 2f) Tommy Hourihane (0-1f). Subs: Gary Clancy (0-1) for Carr (half-time), Mattie Ward for Walsh (48).
Referee: Seamus McGonagle.