Paul McGirr tournament semi-final:
St Eunan’s, Letterkenny 4-13 O’Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt 1-5
A SCINTILLATING second-half performance from an outstanding St Eunan’s, Letterkenny saw off the challenge of pre-tournament favourites Magherafelt to earn themselves a place in the Paul McGirr U16 Club Champions Tournament final.
St Eunan’s held a two-point lead at half-time but two goals immediately upon the restart left the Donegal champions in a great position and they kicked on to record a comprehensive victory.
Magherafelt were first out of the blocks with a point from midfielder Cormac Murphy and this was quickly followed by a superb individual goal from Eoghan Hawe, finishing left footed to the top corner following a 30-yard run.
But the Donegal men were soon into their stride, with their midfield partnership of Séamus Ó Ceallaigh and Shane Ó Domhnaill dominating proceedings.
Centre-forward Darragh Ellison got on the end of a fine passing move to finish to the net for their first goal and Magherafelt ’keeper Shea Murray had to pull off a superb save to deny the dangerous Michael Ó Gaillchoir shortly after.
A brace of points each from Conor Ó Domhnaill and Shane Ó Domhnaill and one from Ellison were replied to by Hawe and Ciaran Shields as the teams went in for half-time 1-5 to 1-3 in favour of Letterkenny.
However, whatever words of wisdom were dispensed by manager Pauric Ryan at half-time certainly had the desired effect as the Letterkenny boys emerged for the second half like men possessed.
Towering full-forward Pádraig McGettigan, who had a quiet first-half, twice finished to the net in the first five minutes, the second following an exquisite pass from Ó Domhnaill. Four points, including a monstrous 55-yard Conor Ó Domhnaill free, stretched the lead, much to the delight of the large Letterkenny following.
Some superb last-ditch defending from Ó Riain and a great save from Eoghan Ó Baoill to deny Caolan Coyle frustrated the Rossa boys as they sought to fight their way back into contention, but the contest was ended when Michael Ó Gallchoir outpaced the Magherafelt defence for his side's fourth goal. It was fitting that the scoring was brought to an end by a wonderful point from half-back Peadar Mac Conndubh, who had a superb 60 minutes.
St Eunan’s now progress to the final next Saturday, seeking to become the first Donegal team since Four Masters in 1999 to annex the coveted title.
MATCH STATS
St Eunan’s: E Ó Baoill; B Horgan, C Mac Cionnaith, A Ó Gallchoir; C Ó Cathain, S Ó Riain, P Mac Conndubh (0-1); S Ó Ceallaigh, S Ó Domhnaill (0-2); S Ó Braoin, D Ellison (1-2), M Ó Gallchoir (1-2); C Fionn, P McGettigan (2-1), C Ó Domhnaill (0-4); Subs: R McCann for Fionn (0-1), Pa Tobin for Ó Riain, R McGahan for A Ó Gallchoir, D Ó Uigin for Ó Braoin, O Mac Garbhaith for Ó Cathain, C Ó Domhnaill for Ellison
O’Donovan Rossa: S Murray; J McErlain, P Tohill (0-1), D O’Neill; A McCloskey, P McLarnon, C Coyle; C Murphy (0-1), C Coyle (0-1); T Shea Maynes, C Shields (0-1), P Bateson; C Martin, A O’Loughlin, E Hawe (1-1); Subs: S McSorley for Bateson, C McCann for Shields
