Gaoth Dobhair clinched their first Division 1 League title in 12 years after powering past Milford at Moyle View Park.
Milford 1-7 Gaoth Dobhair 2-19
By Charlie Collins at Moyle View Park
James Carroll and Cian Mulligan hit the goals while Odhrán MacNiallais weighed in with six points as the Magheragallon men picked up a first senior League crown since the Declan Bonner-managed class of 2006.
Having established an early 0-5 to 0-2 lead, Gaoth Dobhair slipped into arrears when a Cathal McGettigan free was batted into his own goal by the unfortunate Peter McGee.
A subsequent ’45 by McGettigan had Milford up by two and Darragh Black thundered an effort off a Milford post as the home side set about spoiling a party.
Eamonn Collum and Kevin Cassidy restored parity before Mervyn O’Donnell’s Gaoth Dobhair pounced for a goal in the 30th minute as Naoise Ó Baoill teed up Carroll, who made no mistake with a fine finish.
A Collum point had Gaoth Dobhair 1-8 to 1-4 up at half-time.
Niall Friel’s pair of points helped Gaoth Dobhait lead by eight (1-13 to 1-5) ten minutes into the second half and they were well on their way to the win when a second goal arrived as Mulligan scurried away to beat Caolan McGettigan with an excellent finish.
MacNiallais (2), Carroll and sub Seaghan Ferry hit points as Gaoth Dobhair ended with a flourish.
In added time, Gaoth Dobhair ‘keeper Christopher Sweeney saved a Tony McNamee penalty.
Milford: Caolan McGettigan; Conor McNulty, Barry McNulty, Conor McHugh; David Curley, Paddy Peoples, Ryan McMahon; Sean Black, Luke Barrett (0-2, 1f); Cathal McGettigan (0-2, 1f, 1 ’45), Christopher Barrett (0-1), Tony McNamee; (0-2) Darragh Black, Kane Barrett, Pauric Curley. Subs: Ronan Docherty for P.Curley (39), James Doyle for McNulty (39), Peter Curran for McHugh (52), Lorcan Friel for S.Black (52), Patrick Ferry for K.Barrett (65).
Gaoth Dobhair: Christopher Sweeney; Christopher McFadden, Neil McGee, Gary McFadden; Niall Friel (0-3), Kieran Gillespie, Daire O Baoill; Peter McGee (1-0, own goal), Odhran MacNiallais (0-6, 1f, 2 ’45); Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Eamon McGee, Naoise O Baoill; Eamonn Collum (0-4), Kevin Cassidy (0-2), James Carroll (1-3). Subs: Cian Mulligan (1-0) for D Ó Baoill (47), Seaghan Ferry (0-1) for P.McGee (47), Dan McBride for E.McGee (47), Conor McCafferty for Friel (55), Jamie Boyle for N.McGee (56), Neasan Mac Giolla BhrÃde for C.McFadden (58).
Referee:Marc Brown (Four Masters).
