A GOAL WITH practically the last kick from Nathan Boyle was enough for Glenfin to seal a place in the County U-21B Championship final this afternoon.
Glenfin 1-5 Gaeil Fhánada 0-7
Glenfin had enjoyed a comprehensive win over Bundoran six days beforehand, 2-17 to 0-5 against Bundoran but it looked as though they didn’t have the same offensive prowess at O’Donnell Park against Gaeil Fhánada.
As well as that, it seemed as though they didn’t have the luck.
Glenfin saw no more than four chances cleared off the line, including two in the last seven minutes when Stephen Carr was the player who was out of luck on each occasion.
Firstly, Carr worked space and shot for goal only so see Kevin McGonagle block at the last minute and two minutes later, the Glenfin corner-forward saw Aidan Heraghty stop at the bitter end.
It was unfortunate for Glenfin, although in retrospect they might’ve had a better chance of getting back on terms had they put the focus on points and not goals. On this occasion though, fortune favoured the brave.
But a minute into injury time, substitute Boyle got into a little space and drove Paul O’Connor for the winning goal.
Gaeil Fhánada were 0-4 to 0-1 in front at half-time with a brace from Alan McAteer and Niall Carr scoring twice.
The first let-off for Gaeil Fhánada came at the end of the first half when goalkeeper O’Connor misjudged a long ball from Conor McBride, but centre-back Ronan McAteer was sweeping up and saved the ball dropping into the net.
As the second half took shape, Glenfin had plenty of the ball but it was Gaeil Fhánada who were knocking over the scores. Eoin Carr’s score put them 0-7 to 0-4 up and at the back it looked as though their defensive heroics would keep Glenfin at bay.
Carr, for Glenfin, pulled one back and it was mentioned that the two-point lead is the most dangerous one in Gaelic football. Glenfin and Boyle certainly proved that.
Glenfin: Andrew Walsh; Daniel Harkin, Ronan Gallagher, Daithi Carr; Martin O’Donnell, Aodhfin McGlynn. Jason Morrow; Jason Marley, Packie McGrath; Eoin Donnellan (0-2), Stephen Ward, Matthew McGinley; Stephen Carr (0-2, 2f), Ronan Carlin, Conor McBride (0-1, 1f). Subs: Kyle Doherty for McGinley (34), Nathan Boyle (1-0) for Donnellan (48), Donnellan for McBride (53)
Gaeil Fhánada: Paul O’Connor; Kevin McGonagle, Aidan Heraghty, Tiernan Cushnan; Conor McGonagle, Ronan McAteer, Odhran Shiels, Ryan McGonagle (0-1); Alan McAteer (0-2), Niall Carr (0-2), Conor McFadden; Joe Blaney, Eamon Carr, Eoin Carr (0-2). Subs: Brian McBride and Jimmy Coyle for McAteer for McFadden (half-time), Kieran Coll for McGonagle (60).
Referee: Seamus McGonagle (Aodh Ruadh)
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