Ethan Harkin was in fine form as Gaoth Dobhair held on to win their second game of the Senior Football Championship against Glenfin in Páirc Taobhoige.
It was a tale of two halves with the wind aiding Glenfin in the first half as they led by a point at the break, while Harkin used the elements to convert three of his six points in total in the second half to help the visitors to victory.
Glenfin 1-7 Gaoth Dobhair 1-8
Gaoth Dobhair started on the front foot and inside the first 30 seconds they had the ball in the back of the net after good work from Gavin McBride.
His ball across goal caught out Walsh and at the second attempt Michael Roarty found the back of the net.
But the next score of the game on 5 minutes would see Glenfin level after great work from Stephen Carr to play in Daniel McGlynn who netted from a couple of yards out.
Glenfin, with a wind advantage, took a two point lead through a Shaun Ward free and by a Ciaran Brady score from play.
Two Harkin frees had Gaoth Dobhair level again but Glenfin were ahead again soon as Aaron McGlynn fired over from a tight angle.
Ward and Harkin exchanged frees as Glenfin went into the break a point ahead but will have been disappointed not to make the wind advantage count, kicking five first half wides.
It could’ve been more as Glenfin had a couple of goal chances, most notably when Brady almost punched in from Frank McGlynn’s shot that dropped short but Daithi Roberts and Darragh Ferry got rid of the danger. 1-4 to 1-3 at half time.
Gaoth Dobhair with the wind on their backs got three quick points, another two Harkin frees either side of Seaghan Ferry’s score out right, the visitors first point from play 12 minutes into the second half.
Shaun Ward got two more frees to level but Gavin McBride also pointed from the dead ball as Gaoth Dobhair looked to keep their lead.
Luke McGlynn again levelled with a great turn and score but Harkin got his first score from play to make it 1-8 to 1-7.
Glenfin pushed looking for a point to tie the game late on but Gaoth Dobhair defended well and with the wind advantage, they held on.
Gaoth Dobhair are now two wins from two, while Glenfin, after a great League campaign, are without a point after two tough opening games.
Glenfin: Andrew Walsh; Martin O’Donnell, John Harkin, Gary Herron, Ross Marley, Frank McGlynn, Odhran McGlynn; Stephen Carr, Stephen Ward; Aaron McGlynn (0-1), Jason Morrow, Shaun Ward (0-4f), Luke McGlynn (0-1), Ciaran Brady (0-1), Daniel McGlynn (1-0).
Subs: Mark McGinty for Brady (half-time), Jason Marley for Odhran McGlynn (52 mins), Ronan Carlin for Stephen Ward (53 mins)
Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts; Daire Ferry, Neil McGee, Gary McFadden; Seaghan Ferry (0-1), Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride, Fergal Delaney; Domhnaill Mac Giolla Bhride, Michéal Roarty (1-0); Aidan Breathnach Eoin de Búrca, Cian Mulligan,, Ethan Harkin (0-6,5f), Eamon McGee, Gavin McBride (0-1f).
Subs: Fionnan Coyle for Breathnach (31 mins), James Boyle for Neasan Mac Giolla Bhride (61 mins).
