Gerry Maguire wraps up the action in the opening exchanges of this year’s Donegal Senior Football Championship....
Ardara 0-8 Glenswilly 0-6
DONEGAL stars Paddy McGrath and Michael Murphy both shipped heavy knocks in this hard-fought affair that saw the home side just hang on for victory after a dour tussle in Pearse Memorial Park.
McGrath did not reappear after the interval, while Murphy was also shaken after a heavy collision. The home side led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the interval and matters continued in a similar vein in the second-half.
Brendan McNelis and Gareth Concarr were the main scorers for Ardara, while Gary 'Copper' McFadden hit 0-2 for a Glenswilly side that was minus the towering Neil Gallagher.
Malin 2-9 Sean Mac Cumhaill's 1-9
TWO well-executed first half goals pushed Malin to a narrow but deserved victory over Sean Mac Cumhaill's in Connolly Park.
Brilliant Brendan McLaughlin struck two goals in almost as many minutes, to give the Inis Owen men a great cushion after just 11 minutes. The home side led by 2-4 to 1-4 at half-time with county star Martin O’Reilly replying for Sean MacCumhaills through a penalty he won just before half-time.
The second-half was played at a ding-dong pace and O’Reilly had a chance to level matters but was brilliantly denied from the penalty spot by Malin keeper Darragh McLaughlin.
St Eunan’s 0-13 Kilcar 1-10
COMETH the crisis and cometh Ryan McHugh, who kicked a last-gasp 40-metre free to level matters in this thrilling clash between two heavyweights in Tir Conaill Park.
Eunan’s lost talismanic midfielder Rory Kavanagh after just 19 minutes in a first half where Kilcar led by 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time. Paddy netted a penalty after his younger brother Stephen was hauled down to push the Towney men into an early 1-3 to 0-2 lead after just 11 minutes.
St Eunan’s replied through points from Kevin Rafferty and John Haran, who is playing in his 22nd championship campaign. The home side came out strongly in the second half and led by 0-12 to 1-7 seven minutes from time.
But Ryan McHugh and Co stayed cool to eke out a draw.
Glenfin 0-11 Naomh Muire 3-7
FIRST-HALF goals from Daniel Breslin and Paddy McCafferty were key scores in this somewhat surprising win for Naomh Muire over Glenfin in Pairc Taobhoige.
Frank McGlynn was back in action for the home side, but it was the hungrier visitors who turned over with a half-time lead of 2-5 to 0-7 at the break. McGlynn and Paddy O’Connor were among the home side’s scorers, but the clinching goal came from Sean 'Yank' Boyle midway through the second-half.
Glenfin’s cup of woe was complete when they lots brothers John and Daniel Harkin to a straight red and two yellow cards, respectively.
St Michael’s 2-13 Killybegs 0-8
ST MICHAEL’S may have only been level with gritty Killybegs, at 0-6 each at half-time, but this game changed irrevocably in the final eight minutes
Hugh McFadden and co put up a great fight in the opening half and led by a point after 50 minutes. But a Ryan Langan goal settled the hot favourites nerves, and Liam Paul Ferry hit a similar score near the final whistle.
A deserved win for Christy Toye, Martin McElhinney and Colm McFadden (pictured) and co, but Killybegs made matters interesting for very long periods.
Gaoth Dobhair 2-12 Four Masters 1-9
TWO well-executed second-half goals spurred league leaders Gaoth Dobhair to an expected victory over Four Masters in Magheragallon.
The winners led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval playing into a stiffish breeze with Gavin McBride, Michael Carroll and still youthful Kevin Cassidy all on target. Thirty-seven-year-old Barry Monaghan and Karl Lacey were on target for the wasteful Masters who hit eight first-half wides.
Gavin McBride and Ciaran Gillespie found the net for Gaoth Dobhair to seal matters in the second-half. Conor McMonagle hit the net for Masters, but the match was well sealed by this stage.
