MALIN CAME FROM six points down to topple Dungloe following a dramatic last quarter at O’Donnell Park in Letterkenny this afternoon.
Malin 0-13 Dungloe 1-8
In a contest that had a decibel-level that got louder and louder the longer it went on, the Inishowen side were still four point down with less than 15 minutes to go.
Dungloe, a side build on youth, however, probably didn’t have the experience to see it out and Malin, who’ve developed something of a championship tradition of late, are into the last four for only the second time in their history.
In Adam Neely and Ryan Greene, Dungloe had built themselves a head of steam but Malin finished both halves strongly. They scored the last six points in the second to reach the last four for the first time since their famous victory over St Eunan’s in 2013.
When it came to it, Brendan and Christopher McLaughlin and Andrew Kelly stood up. The roar when Seamus McGonigle blew for time almost burst the banks of the Swilly.
A goal from Adam Neely on seven minutes fashioned an early lead for the Dungloe side managed by Tony Boyle. Neely smashed past Darren McLaughlin in the Malin goal following a lay-off from Conor Greene, who had his back to goal. The problems for the Malin defence originated from a booming ball into the square from Doalty Boyle.
[adrotate group=”53″]That made the score 1-1 to 0-2 with Malin’s first two scores coming from the pacey Christopher McLaughlin and then a free from Brendan McLaughlin.
Dungloe, though, were much the more impressive side in the next spell of play. With Adam Neely and Ryan Greene they had a threat inside, despite losing Martin Redmond to a black card on 18 minutes and then his replacement, Barry Curran, three minutes later when he hobbled off.
By 22 minutes, the team from Rosses Park were 1-4 to 0-2 in front, with Ryan Greene’s two points supplementing Adam Neely’s 1-2.
Malin got a somewhat fortunate third point when their full-back Conor Farren lumped a ball forward. Ciaran Sharkey, the Dungloe goalkeeper, was in two minds whether to attack the pitch of it but stood back to guard his line and ball bounced over the crossbar.
[adrotate group=”37″]Again, though, the response from Dungloe was impressive. Ryan Greene clocked over his third point and then, in a move similar to the goal, Adam Neely fizzed just over the Malin crossbar from a Conor Greene pass.
But three points in succession at the end of the half gave the scoreboard a different complexion at the interval. Anthony Kelly and Terence Colhoun’s Malin scored all three – and it might’ve been even more.
Brendan McLaughlin and Matthew Byrne scored the first two of those. Then, Declan Walsh added a third in injury time when he stuck one over. It could’ve been worse for Dungloe, had Raymond Sweeney not put in a vital block from Darren Mularkey moments beforehand, which might’ve been a Malin goal.
At the break, Dungloe were 1-6 to 0-6 in front.
[adrotate group=”81″]Shaun Sharkey of Dungloe and Malin’s Matthew Byrne traded second half points early on before a heavy Gavin Ward challenge on Stephen McLaughlin brought a yellow card.
While the Malin support were baying for Ward to be shown either black or red, referee Seamus McGonigle opted for yellow. Ward, incidentally, was replaced just 90 seconds later.
Adam Neely picked up where he left off in the first half with a fine score on 42 minutes to give Dungloe a 1-8 to 0-7 lead.
However, the floorboard began to creek soon afterwards as Malin went through the gears. Anthony Kelly’s free put just a goal between the sides and then, in the 46th minute, Ciaran Sharkey made an excellent save from Dan McDaid.
It was then the cracks started to appear for Dungloe. Malin took full advantage.
Sharkey saved Dungloe a second time, another top stop when Paul McLaughlin got in. But just at the point when Brendan McLaughlin edged Malin in front of the first time – on 52 minutes – Adam Neely of Dungloe was black-carded.
With it, was the passing of the initiative. Malin saw it out from there.
Dungloe: Ciaran Sharkey; Jack Scally, Gavin Ward, Doalty Boyle; Martin Redmond, Shaun Sharkey (0-1), Darren Curran; Paul McGarvey, Raymond Sweeney; Gerard Ward, Conor Greene, Luke Neely; Adam Neely (1-4, 2f), Noel McBride, Ryan Greene (0-3, 1f). Subs: Barry Curran for Redmond (17, black card), Matthew Ward for B Curran (21), Jack Scally for G Ward (40), Adrian Sweeney for McGarvey (47), Owen Scally for A Neely (53, black card)
Malin: Darragh McLaughlin; Mick McLaughlin, Conor Farren (0-1), Gary Farren; Paul McLaughlin, Declan Walsh (0-1), Kieron McColgan; Christopher McLaughlin (0-2), Anthony Kelly (0-2, 2fs); Stephen McLaughlin, Matthew Byrne (0-2), Darren Mullarkey; Brendan McLaughlin (0-5, 3fs, 1 ’45’), Seamus Houghton, Damien Harkin. Subs: Adam Byrne for C Farren (24), Dan McDaid for Mullarkey (40), Seamus Doherty for Kelly (60).
Referee: Seamus McGonigle (Aodh Ruadh).
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