GAEIL FHÁNADA OPENED their season with victory over neighbours Milford in the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta this afternoon.
Gaeil Fhánada 0-7 Milford 0-5
The youthful side managed by Aidan McAteer were 0-3 to 0-2 up at half-time with Eoghan Carr, Oisin Shiels and Odhran Shiels on the mark, with Milford’s points coming from two Luke Barrett efforts from play.
Milford had to rejig as early as the 10th minute when they lose corner-back Conor McNulty to a black card.
Gaeil Fhánada will operate in Division 3 this season – that’s two beneath Milford – but this afternoon’s victory will certainly give the team from Triaghalough confidence for the coming months.
In the second half they managed to keep Milford at arm’s length. Points from Oisin Shiels and Mark Friel meant for a 0-5 to 0-2 lead.
And after Cathal McGettigan pulled one back for the Milford team managed by Danny O’Donnell, another score for Gaeil Fhánada – this time from Oisin Shiels – gave the hosts a 0-6 to 0-3 advantage.
Milford did rally a little, with Christopher Barrett and Cathal McGettigan bringing them back to within a point before Mark Friel rounded off the day’s scoring.
Luke Barrett did have a goal chance for Milford halfway through the second half. However, his shot was blocked by two defenders.
Gaeil Fhánada: Brendan Friel; Kevin McGonigle, Jimmy Coyle, Aidan Heraghty; Myle McBride, James Gallagher, Odhran Shiels (0-1); Oisin Shiels (0-3), Seamus ‘Nani’ Friel; Johnny Friel, Mark Friel (0-2), Oisin McFadden; Eoghan Carr (0-1, 1f), Patrick Hegarthy, Patrick Carr. Subs: Mark McConigley for B Friel (half-time), Brian McBride for A Heraghty (35), Niall Carr for McFadden (42), Brian McVeigh and Alan McAteer for Carr and J Friel (55).
Milford: Caolan McGettigan; Conor McNulty, Barry McNulty, Kieran Sheridan; Tony McNamee, Johnny Logue, Gavin Grier; Joey Cullen, Luke Barrett (0-2); Cathal McGettigan (0-2, 2f), James Doyle, Christopher Barrett (0-1); Kyle Black, Kane Barrett, Sean Black. Sub: TJ Evisson for C McNulty (black card, 10).
Referee: Robbie O’Donnell (Naomh Muire).
