BUNDORAN WERE CROWNED Intermediate Champions on Sunday with a one-sided final win over Naomh Colmcille – and it’s no surprise that Bundoran dominate our Intermediate Team of the Year selection.
In all, there are eight players from Brian Gavigan’s squad who make the cut while four from the surprise package, Naomh Colmcille, are in with two from Aodh Ruadh and one from Gaeil Fhánada also included.
Picture caption: Tommy Hourihane, the Bundoran captain, lifts the Cathal McLaughlin Cup after Bundoran’s win over Naomh Colmcille in Sunday’s final. Picture courtesy of Evan Logan.
- Peter Boyle (Aodh Ruadh)
BOYLE was the stand-out ‘keeper in the competition. Although he appears to have gone off the radar of the county management, Boyle was consistent for Aodh Ruadh in their run to the semi-finals, with some fine saves supplemented by his ability to kick scores from placed ball.
- Ricky Hegarty (Naomh Colmcille)
HEGARTY’S performances will be looked back on as one of the highlights of Naomh Colmcille’s memorable summer. The tenacious defender barely gave an inch throughout and has really stepped up a level.
- James Keaney (Bundoran)
A REAL warrior, Keaney was the lynchpin of Bundoran’s defence all summer.
Keaney is a real sticky operator, who is in fine fettle.
An experienced and wily campaigner, Keaney was to the fore as Bundoran took possession of the Cathal McLaughlin Cup again.
- Diarmuid McCaughey (Bundoran)
MCCAUGHEY had a solid campaign for Bundoran. Not only was he a vital cog in their defensive wheel, but McCaughey also got forward to aid the Bundoran attack.
McCaughey was an unsung hero as Bundoran took the prize.
- Paul Brennan (Bundoran)
THE former Leitrim player didn’t play as often as he might have wished for Bundoran this year, but when he did there could be no doubting his qualities.
Brennan made a full-county transfer from Melvin Gaels and Leitrim to Bundoran and Donegal last winter and was subject to reams of media coverage.
Brennan took it on the chin and was one of the driving forces in Bundoran winning the title. That county call up from Rory Gallagher mightn’t be too far away for the powerful half-back.
- Shane McGowan (Bundoran)
MCGOWAN was Man of the Match in the final rout over Naomh Colmcille and is a player of real class. McGowan consistently reaches the high gears for Bundoran. Has been around the Donegal squad in the past and it would be no surprise were Rory Gallagher to appear on his driveway again.
- John Fullerton (Naomh Colmcille)
ANOTHER of the Naomh Colmcille young guns to step up to the plate this year, Fullerton made a place in the rearguard his own.
Strong, commitment and fearless, Fullerton was given several big assignments and stood to the task. Had a difficult final, but it was a summer of promise for a player who has cemented a spot in Francie Martin’s first XV.
- Ciaran McCaughey (Bundoran)
THE powerful piston that gives the Bundoran engine a real kick. McCaughey lorded most of the midfield battles he faced. Gives his side a real edge.
His ball-winning ability and his ferocious drive mark him out as one of Bundoran’s danger men. As opponents have found, halting his march is easier said than done.
- Michael Lynch (Naomh Colmcille)
CAME on to replace the injured Ryan McErlean in the opening minute of Naomh Colmcille’s quarter-final win over Carndonagh in Convoy and never looked back.
Lynch’s nerveless kicking of placed balls became a real feature of Naomh Colmcille’s run to the final and Francie Martin has predicted a call-up to the Donegal Under-21 squad for the midfielder.
- Seamus Kane (Aodh Ruadh)
KANE was so nearly the hero for Aodh Ruadh with a 1-2 haul against Bundoran in the semi-final, but he and the Ballyshannon men were denied late in the evening.
Kane had a useful campaign for the Ernesiders, scoring a goal in the drawn quarter-final against Milford. Was lively throughout the campaign and was the pick of the bunch for his team.
- Gary Clancy (Bundoran)
STRONG and powerful, Clancy’s deployment on the ’40 gave Bundoran an extra outlet and he could drop back to aid in the midfield trenches when the going would get tough.
Scored eleven points in the knockout phase, including four in the final when he helped Bundoran lord the battles. Has been a brilliant asset for Bundoran.
- Jamie Brennan (Bundoran)
HIS final ended prematurely after a hamstring forced his departure in the first half, but he had 1-1 scored by the time he was replaced.
Although quiet in the quarter-final against Naomh Bríd, Brennan still managed a goal and he was the hero of the hour against Aodh Ruadh in Bundoran’s semi-final win.
Big things are expected of him by the Seaside and he’s shown enough to suggest that he’s willing and able to live up to his billing.
- Joe Donaghy (Naomh Colmcille)
IT was Donaghy’s goal that provided the spur for a comeback that kept them in the Championship. They were 0-8 to 1-0 behind and a man down against Buncrana at The Scarvey in a ‘must-win’ group game. Donaghy’s goal turned the tide and he followed that up with a stunning 2-6 haul against Carndonagh while he kicked five points in the semi-final replay win over Gaeil Fhánada.
- Tommy Hourihane (Bundoran)
PLAYED a real captain’s role to lead Bundoran to the Intermediate Championship title. Hourihane hit 1-5 against Naomh Colmcille in Sunday’s final and it capped a fine campaign.
Hourihane was a constant go-to man in the forward line and his scores were vital throughout their run to the final.
- Seamus Friel (Gaeil Fhánada)
THE former county panellist fired his side through the quarter-final meeting, scoring seven points again Naomh Columba.
With his team a point behind against Naomh Colmcille in the semi-final, Friel had to keep his cool with a free in added time to earn a replay – and he duly obliged.
An expert place ball kicker, his scores are golden for Gaeil Fhánada.
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