Cathal McGettigan on target as Milford earn narrow victory over Four Masters

Cathal McGettigan starred as Milford earned an impressive victory in the opening game of the Donegal Senior Football Championship Group C as they saw off Four Masters by a narrow four-point margin.

Four Masters 0-10 Milford 0-14

It was a gruelling affair for both sides in a cagey first half as Cathal McDaid produced three points for Four Masters in the early stages.

Jamie Crawford, who put in a decent performance for the Donegal Town men, also got two points in the opening 30 minutes.

However, it could have been much different early on when Kane Barrett produced a fine piece of skill and should have scored from close range when his shot hit the post. 

But after 28 minutes Christopher Barrett gave the visitors the lead for the first time when he scored with a well-driven effort. 

Kane Barrett and Cathal McGettigan also proved a handful for the Four Masters defence in the opening half, with Cathal McGettigan accumulating six points to give Danny O’Donnell’s side a narrow margin at the break.

After the break, Four Masters came out fighting as they reduced the deficit to only two points midway through the second half despite a fast start from McGettigan and the two formidable Barretts. 

However, the Donegal Town sides’ late charge came to nothing as they could only add one further point to their tally as McGettigan hit back with a treble of fine points to seal an impressive victory for Milford in south Donegal. 

Teams

Four Masters: Martin Cassidy; Cathal Canavan, Kevin Breslin, Dylan Kennedy, Brian Fagan, John Boyle; Emmett Doogan (0-1), Oisin Reed, Kevin McBrearty (0-1), Leo Mc, Caolin Mountney; Jame Crawford (0-2), Barry Dunnion, Connor McDaid (0-6 3f) , Naill Ward. 

Subs: Sean O’Kennedon for Kevin Breslin; Paddy Reid for Niall Ward, David Quinn 

Milford: Caolan McGettigan; Conor McNulty, Shaun Black, Connor McHugh, James Doyle, Gavin Grier; Joey Cullen, Luke Barrett (0-2 1f), Marty Doyle, Christopher Barrett (0-1), Cathal McGettigan (0-6 3f), Kyle Black (0-1), Kane Barrett (0-3), Paddy People

Subs: Dara Black (0-1) for Kyle Black; Gary Merriton, Ryan McMahon on for Marty Doyle

Referee: Connie Doherty