Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Donegal SFC semi-final
Gaoth Dobhair 3-9 Sean MacCumhaill’s 0-11
GOALS win matches and a more experienced Gaoth Dobhair got theirs at the the right time in this victory over an Oisin Gallen-led Sean MacCumhaill’s.
Gallen was sublime over the course of the hour, landing 0-10 while being marked by two, and sometimes three, men.
Gaoth Dobhair’s Ethan Harkin also had a brilliant afternoon with a tally of 1-5, while a penalty from Odhrán Mac Niallais and a second-half goal from Stephen Donna McFadden helped set up a first final appearance for the club since the 2019 trilogy against Naomh Conaill.
MacCumhaill’s goalkeeper Eoin Gallen was sent off for his part in an incident with Peter McGee in injury-time.
Joel Bradley Walsh was forced to spend the last play in goal, but by then it was all over.
Mac Cumhaill’s were chasing a first senior final appearance in 19 years and to make that leap they’d have wished for a decent start.
That did not happen as Gaoth Dobhair as early as the eighth minute, had moved into a lead of five points.
Harkin had two early points – one from play and then another from a free – on the board before MacNiallais’ penalty, awarded for a heavy challenge by Ruairí Callaghan on Niall Friel.
Oisin Gallen’s showing in the quarter-final victory over Glenswilly, where he kicked 1-9, was the performance of September’s last weekend.
For any chance of a repeat, he was having to negotiate his way past Gary McFadden and Neil McGee, who was covering.
Gallen, though, managed to get his team going in the 16th minute with an arced finish and would finish the half with four points – the last of which was a brilliant effort from the left-hand-side.
Harkin also knocked over four in the opening half to keep Mac Cumhaill’s at arm’s length.
Stephen Donna McFadden, who came on for Gavin McBride, and Daire Ó Baoill were also on the scoresheet as Gaoth Dobhair led 1-6 to 0-4 ay half-time.
Mac Cumhaill’s had come from seven down against Glenswilly to book their semi-final ticket so Gaoth Dobhair knew not to rest on their laurels.
Gallen took another great score to take Mac Cumhaill’s to within four, but a minute later Gaoth Dobhair got their second goal courtesy of Harkin.
The Ballybofey men responded well, with Joel Bradley Walsh hitting a point and Gallen two more to leave it 2-6 to 0-8.
But, just like earlier in the half, just when the Twin Towns side looked to be gaining a foothold, Gaoth Dobhair went down the other end and goaled. Ó Baoill setting up McFadden.
Gallen continued to carry the fight for Mac Cumhaill’s till the bitter end, but points from corner-back Aodán Breathnach, as well as Harkin and Ó Baoill scores ensured victory for Gaoth Dobhair.
Gaoth Dobhair: D Roberts; A Breathnach (0-1), N McGee, G McFadden; N Friel, E McGee, M Roarty; D Ó Baoill (0-2, 0-1 free), D Mac Giolla Bhríde; S Ferry, O Mac Niallais (1-0 pen) J Ó Baoill; E Harkin (1-5, 0-2 frees), G McBride, C McEntee
Subs: S D McFadden (1-1) for G McBride (9), C de Búrca for McEntee (48), N Mac Giolla Bhríde for Ferry (56), P McGee and N Kelly for Roarty and Harkin (59)
Seán MacCumhaill’s: E Gallen; C Mulligan, R Callaghan, A Gillooley; S McMenamin, A McCloskey, S Martin; J Boyle, S O’Reilly; C McGinty., J Keegan, C McSorley; J Bradley Walsh (0-1), O Gallen (0-10, 0-4 frees, 0-2 mark) K McCormack
Subs: S Breen for McCormack (half-time), A Lynch for Callaghan (50). G Dunnion for S O’Reilly (55)
Referee: M Dorrian (Gaeil Fhánada)
