Naomh Conaill retained their Division One All County League title with this comfortable win over Gaoth Dobhair at O Donnell Park.
By Charlie Collins at O’Donnell Park
They included their County panelists, Odhran Doherty, Jeaic MacCeallabhui and Charles McGuinness in their starting line-up and after things had been closely contested for the opening twenty-five minutes a scoring burst of 1-02 just before half-time set them up for victory.
Leo Dunphy kicked two early points from play to set Naomh Conaill on their way while it took Gaoth Dobhair until the tenth minute to open their account with a Cathal Gillespie free, but John O Malley responded immediately with a fine point from play, 0-03 to 0-01 to Naomh Conaill.
Gweedore then created a goal chance when Donal McBride raced forward and set up Cathal Gillespie but his shot was brillantly saved by Stephen McGrath.
Ethan Harkin kicked two points from play but in between Kevin Mc Gettigan came forward to score to leave it 0-04 to 0-03 but in the final five minutes of the half Naomh Conaill took command adding 1-02 to lead by six at the break, 1-06 to 0-03.
The goal came in the 25th minute, Mark McDevitt and Finbarr Roarty combining to set up Brendan McDyer who clipped the ball over Daithi Roberts into the far corner of the net.
Dermot Molloy converted a free and Finbarr Roarty scored from play left Naomh Conaill in control at the break.
Charles McGuinness with a free and Odhran Doherty with a goal after sweeping move from defence, slotting to the net after his first effort had comeback off the post meant the game was pretty much over as a contest, 2-07 to 0-03.
McGuinness converted another long range free and then in a rare attack Gweedore sub Adam McKeever finished the ball to the net from close range for their first score of the half. Kevin McGettigan came forward to hit his second, Donal McBride and Aodan Breathnach added late Gweedore points, Tiarnan Ward replied and McGuinness converted a 45 to leave it 2-10 to 1-05.
Gaoth Dobhair ; Daithi Roberts , James O Baoill, Gary McFadden, Aodan Breathnach (0-01), Fiachra Coyle , Niall Friel , Micheal Roarty, Donal McBride (0-01), Kieran Gillespie , , Eoin de Burca, Steven McFadden , Fionnan Coyle , Ethan Harkin (0-02), Cathal Gillespie (0-01), Mark McFadden. Subs used ; ( all second-half), Eamonn Collum (0-02), Fergal Delaney . Cian McEntee , Adam McKeever (1-00), Sean Doherty
Naomh Conaill : Stephen McGrath , Odhran Doherty (1-00 ) , AJ Gallagher, Kevin McGettigan (0-02), Hugh Gallagher , Ultan Doherty , Finbar Roarty ( 0-01) , Charles McGuinness ,(0-03), Neil Francis Boyle , Brendan McDyer (1-00) , John O Malley (0-01 ), Mark Mc Devitt , Jeaic Mac Ceallabhui , Dermot Molloy (0-01f ), Leo Dunphy ( 0-02). Subs used ; (all second-half) , Tiernan Ward (0-01), Keelan McGill , Daniel Gildea , Referee ; Anthony McCallig ( Naomh Conaill ).