Naomh Conaill made it into their sixth Donegal SFC final in a row with a two point win over Gaoth Dobhair.
Naomh Conaill 0-13 Gaoth Dobhair 1-8
Gaoth Dobhair’s Eamon McGee tries to shake off the attentions of Naomh Conaill’s Anthony Thompson and Ciaran Thompson during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Martin Regan’s side started slow in both halves, but grew into the game and scored six without reply in the second half.
Gaoth Dobhair got a goal in added time through Domhnall Mac Giolla Bride but they ran out of time in search of a winner.
Gaoth Dobhair’s Fearghal Ó Dubhchláine tries to slow the progress of Naomh Conaill’s Keelan McGill during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Odhran Doherty got Naomh Conaill off to a good start, pointing inside a minute, but Gaoth Dobhair were the better side in the first ten minutes.
Odhran MacNiallais in his first start of the championship levelled with a great score, while Daire O’Baoill pointed after a good run, while Danny Curran pointed from out right.
Gaoth Dobhair also had the ball in the net through James O’Baoill, but referee Seamus McGonagle penalised Gavin McBride in the build-up for picking the ball off the ground.
The final ten minutes were dominated by the Glenties side, with Eunan Doherty fisting over with a goal chance on.
Naomh Conaill’s Eunan Doherty looks for a way past Gaoth Dobhair’s Seaghan Ó Fearraigh during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Ciaran Thompson and Charles McGuinness scored frees to give them the lead, while Brendan McDyer scored the point of the half with a great effort with the outside of his foot.
Jeaic MacCeallbhuí fisted over after being played in by Keelan McGill with a goal chance on.
Naomh Conaill manager Martin Regan with his backroom team during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Gaoth Dobhair got the last score of the half to make it 0-6 to 0-4 in Naomh Conaill’s favour, as Odhran MacNiallais showed his class again with a great score just before the half-time whistle.
Gaoth Dobhair again started on the front foot, with Niall Friel pointing but Jeaic MacCeallbhuí pointed again for Naomh Conaill.
Gaoth Dobhair’s Domhnall Mac Giolla Bhríde and Naomh Conaill’s Ethan O’Donnell clash mid air during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Gaoth Dobhair got level at 0-7 apiece after Ethan Harkin pointed from play and Gavin McBride scored a free, but Naomh Conaill again grew into the game.
Dermot Molloy pointed before Odhran Doherty hit two in a couple of minutes to give them a three point lead.
Naomh Conaill’s Ciaran Thompson looks for options under pressure during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
The Glenties men hit another three through McGuinness, Ciaran Thompson and Eoin Waide to hit six in a row before Gaoth Dobhair registered another score.
James O’Baoill pointed from a free and Domhnall Mac Giolla Bride fired into the back of the net in injury time, but it was too little too late for Trevor Alcorn’s men as they went long in search of a goal but Jason Campbell came out with possession as the final whistle went at 0-13 to 1-8.
Gaoth Dobhair’s Neil McGee gets his pass away as Naomh Conaill’s Dermot Molloy closes in during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Naomh Conaill; Stephen McGrath; Kevin McGettigan, AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell, Ethan O’Donnell, Anthony Thompson, Eoin Waide (0-1); Ciaran Thompson (0-2,1f), Jeaic MacCeallbhui (0-2); Brendan McDyer (0-1), Odhran Doherty (0-3), Eunan Doherty (0-1), Keelan McGill, Charles McGuinness (0-2,1f), Dermot Molloy (0-1).
Subs: Marty Boyle for Brendan McDyer (32 mins), Stephen Molloy and Daniel Gildea for O’Donnell and Molloy (57 mins), Hughie Gallagher for Odhran Doherty (60 mins)
Gaoth Dobhair’s Odhrán MacNiallais on the attack during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
Gaoth Dobhair: Daithi Roberts; Fearghal Delaney, Donal Curran (0-1), Gary McFadden, Niall Friel (0-1), Neil McGee, Seaghan Ferry; Domhnall Mac Giolla Bride (1-0), Michael Roarty; Odhran MacNiallais (0-2), Eamon McGee, James O’Baoill (0-1f), Daire O’Baoill (0-1), Ethan Harkin (0-1), Gavin McBride (0-1f).
Subs: Fionnan Coyle for Fearghal Delaney (53 mins), Darragh Ferry and Eoin de Burca for Niall Friel and Ethan Harkin (57 mins), Aidan Breathnach for James O’Baoill (62 mins)
Gaoth Dobhair’s Dáire Ó Baoill turns for goal during Sunday’s semi final. Photo Evan Logan
