Dungloe 0-09 v 0-08 St Michael’s
By Charlie Collins at MacCumhaill Park
When these two teams met earlier in the championship at ‘ The Bridge ‘in Dunfanaghy the weather dominated the action with heavy rain and a strong wind making playing conditions very difficult for the players as the game was very much one of two halves.
Both teams only scored one point against the elements, with Michael Langan’s long range free in the final minute giving St Michael’s victory bu 0-09 to 0-08 having led by 0-08 to 0-01 at half-time. After last week’s comeback victory over Kilcar without him, the big question on everyone’s lips this week was would St. Michael’s star man return early from his trip away to play in this huge game for his club?
That question was only answered when the squad came out to warm up on the pitch behind the stand and the big midfielder joined his teammates. A great boost for St.Michael’s and perhaps a great motivator for Dungloe, only time would tell.
Conditions were much better than those for their last meeting but a strong wind blowing towards the River Finn end would give the team playing with it a big advantage. St Michael’s had that advantage in the first-half and had early points from Micheal Cannon and Daniel McLaughlin but Dungloe replied quickly with points from Karl Magee and Ryan Connors.
McLaughlin and Oisín Bonner then traded points as Dungloe did well against the elements, defending well and breaking out quickly in possession, after twenty minutes play the teams were level at 0-03 points apiece. After a scoreless period, and several balls dropped shot into Dungloe keeper Danny Rodgers’ hands, Daniel McLaughlin converted another free but points by Daire Gallagher and Ryan Connors had Dungloe ahead for the first time, 0-05 to 0-04 at half-time.
Ryan Connors made it a two point game with his third successful free in the first minute of the second-half and when Barry Curran and Dylan Sweeney quickly added two more Dungloe point they were four ahead and looking very strong, 0-08 to 0-04. Danny McLaughlin converted his fourth free to reduce the deficit to three and after a number of wides Michael Langan got his first score from a free and Dungloe’s lead was down to two, 0-08 to 0-06.
It was quickly down to one with another Langan free and St Michael’s moving well, but Darren Curran kicked a cracker from out on the right touchline to slightly settle Dungloe’s nerves, 0-09 to 0-07 with five minutes left.
A sweeping move as we entered injury-time ended with Daniel McLaughlin blasting a shot off the post, Andrew Kelly volleyed the rebound wide.
McLaughlin added his fifth point to reduce it to just one point again but when his next long range effort the final whistle sounded and Dungloe were in their first Senior final since 1964.
Dungloe: Danny Rodgers, Jason McBride, Aaron Ward, Mark Curran, Barry Curran (0-01), Conor O’Donnell, Karl Magee (0-01), Darren Curran (0-01), Ryan Connors (0-03), Dylan Sweeney (0-01), Daire Gallagher (0-01), Matthew Ward, Aaron Neely, Conor Greene, Oisín Bonner (0-01). Subs used: Shaun McGee, Noel McBride, Conor Diver, Danny McGlynn.
St Michael’s: Mark Anthony McGinley, Antoin McFadden, Liam Paul Ferry, Paddy McGinley, Oisín Langan, Ciaran Kelly, Stephen Doak, Kyle McGarvey, Colin McFadden, Micheal Langan (0-02), Martin McElhinney, Oisin Langan, Daniel McLaughlin (0-05), Edward O’Reilly, Michael Cannon (0-01), Carlos O’Reilly. Subs used: Michael McGinley, Andrew Kelly.
Referee: Mark Dorrian (Gaeil Fhanada).