TWO GOALS EARLY in the second-half propelled Gaoth Dobhair to another Division One League victory over St. Michael’s in Maghergallon.
Gaoth Dobhair 2-13 St Michael’s 1-7
At half-time this game was in the balance with the home team just two points ahead having played with the breeze at their backs in the opening half.
But two goals in four minutes by Daire Ó Baoill and the veteran James Gallagher put Gaoth Dobhair in seven ahead and they never looked like losing after that.
If the visitors had taken their goal chances in that opening half things could have been different but home keeper CJ O’Doherty produced a couple of excellent saves to deny Colm Anthony Mc Fadden on both occasions.
Three points, all from play, in the opening four minutes from Kevin Cassidy, Niall Friel and Noel Kelly got Gaoth Dobhair off to a good start but St Michael’s responded well when Andrew Kelly finished off a brilliant move involving Daniel Mc Laughlin, John Mc Fadden, Brian Mc Laughlin and Colm Mc Fadden, which ended with Kelly palming the ball to the net.
Liam Paul Ferry kicked a super point to put the visitors ahead for what turned out to be the only time in the game in the seventh minute.
Back came the home team with another three in a row, Gallagher got his second of the game and Eamonn Collum kicked two, one with either foot. Daniel McLaughlin reduced it to one between them in the 18th minute and two minutes later the visitors again opened up the home defence with a flowing move but O’Doherty advanced to deny Colm Mc Fadden when a second goal seemed certain.
Noel Kelly and Cassidy added points for Gaoth Dobhair before O Doherty again denied McFadden and Liam Paul Ferry completed the first-half scoring to leave it 0-08 to 1-03 at the break.
Any hopes of a comeback by the visitors were ended in the opening six minutes of the second period. In the 32nd minute Daire Ó Baoill finished off a quick breakout from defence to hammer home from close range and after Colm McFadden had pointed a free for St Michael’s the home team added a second goal, taking advantage of a turnover ball and racing up the pitch before James Gallagher coolly slotted the ball to the visitors net.
That left seven between them and although the visitors kept trying Gweedore were able to coast to victory. Noel Kelly, sub James Carroll with two, Noaise O Baoill and Eamonn Collum added points for the home team while Hugh O Donnell, Sub Lee Mc Colgan and Andrew Kelly replied for the visitors to leave it 2-13 to 1-07 at the finish, a result which keeps Gaoth Dobhair well in touch at the top of the league table.
Gaoth Dobhair: Charles John Doherty; Jamie Reynolds, Christopher McFadden, Neasán Mac Giolla Bhríde; Daire Ó Baoill (1-0), Ryan Kelly, Niall Friel (0-1); Eamon McGee, Odhran McFadden-Ferry; Sean Doherty, James Gallagher (1-1), Naoise Ó Baoill (0-1); Eamon Collum (0-3), Noel Kelly (0-3, 2f), Kevin Cassidy (0-2). Subs: James Carroll (0-2) for S Doherty 34; Michael Roarty for Gallagher 40; Conor Boyle for Cassidy 55; Micheál Roarty for E Collum and Dylan O’Donnell for N Ó Baoill, both 58.
St Michael’s: Aaron Bowyer, Chris McElhinney, Jamie Hunter, Liam Kelly; Ruairi Friel, Ciaran Gallagher, Oisin Langan; Liam Paul Ferry (0-3), Brian McLaughlin; John McFadden, Daniel McLaughlin (0-1), Andrew Kelly (1-1); Colm McFadden (0-1,f), Stephen Coyle, Hugh O’Donnell (0-1). Subs: Lee McColgan (0-1) for S Coyle 46.
Referee: Seamus McGonigle (Aodh Ruadh).
Tags: