The two league points head back over the bridge this evening as a strong finish to proceedings from the Ros Goill men got them over the line by two points.
Gaeil Fhánada 0-14 Downings 0-16
The home sides were quickest out of the blocks, finding themselves three points ahead after five minutes.
All three scores came from play, courtesy of Eoghan Carr, Conor McGonigle and Mark Friel. Downings would have felt disappointed they didn’t strike first, but spurned a good goal opportunity during the opening exchanges.
Lorcan Connor, who was in prolific form for the Ros Goill outfit fired over two fine scores from play before converting a free to even up the scores.
Mark Friel edged the Gaels ahead again, hitting a fine score as was hit late. Connor again responded from a placed ball for Downings to level proceedings for a second time.
Fanad ended the opening period in a strong fashion, all of the football being played in the Downings half.
Mark McAteer pushed the Gaels ahead with a free in the twentieth minute. Downings retreated and had 14 men behind the ball for the majority of the remainder of the half. The Fanad forwards were frustrated by this and the shot selection was questionable in a few instances.
A Seamí Nanny free, coupled with points from Eoghan Carr and Mark Friel from play pushed the hosts four points up before Eric Roberts responded for Downings with the final play of the half. Gaeil Fhánada 0:08 Downings 0:05
The opening exchanges of the second half were a cagey affair, both teams cancelling each other out for much of it. Matthew Gallagher was in good form for the Gaels, organising the defence and keeping the shape while Bernard Mc Gettigan and Eoghan Carr were both impressive as well.
Downings were first out of the blocks, Connor with another pointed free in the second minute. A Seamí Nanny score and a super Eoghan Carr effort stretched the lead to four points, but Eric Roberts swung his second point over for Downings to reduce the arrears.
Gary McClafferty entered the fray for Downings and had a steadying impact on their play. Bernard Mc Gettigan and Shane Boyce exchanged quick-fire scores to leave it eleven points to eight in the Gaels’ favour ten minutes into the second period.
Lorcan Connor scored the next two points – one free and one from play before Bernard Mc Gettigan fired over a lovely score with his left foot. Brian Mc Veigh and Darren McElwaine were both introduced midway through the second period. Connor converted again from play before Bernard Mc Gettigan stretched the lead to two again.
Mark McAteer was unlucky not to be awarded a free on the 21 after being taken to the ground and it proved a turning point as Downings struck, Connor again in the next play.
Eoghan Carr with another score kept Fanad two ahead with five minutes left. A couple of poor decisions in the final third cost Fanad and Downings really upped things in the final moments.
A few defensive errors allowed Downings to score three points in two minutes, edging them ahead in the 58th minute for the first time, Connor twice and Aaron Mc Clafferty the scorers. James Mc Bride added another in injury time before a Oisín Shiels tapped over from close range for the Gaels.
Gary McClafferty was to have the final say with the last point of the game to give Downings a two-point victory.
Matthew Gallagher, Bernard Mc Gettigan, Conor McGonigle, Eoghan Carr and Mark Friel were the pick of the bunch for Fanad, while Lorcan Connor was exceptional for Downings.
There was very little between the teams for most of the game, but greater hunger and desire and better decision making from Downings in the final ten minutes were what got them over the line and the two valuable league points.
Eoin McGonigle, Fergus Friel, Paddy Heraghty, Joe Blaney, Matthew Gallagher, Jimmy Coyle, Conor McGonigle (0:01), Bernard Mc Gettigan (0:02), Oisín Shiels (0:01), Eoghan Carr (0:04), Mark Friel (0:02), Niall Carr, Mark McAteer (0:02), Seamí Friel (0:02), Michael Sweeney. Brian Mc Veigh for Niall Carr, Darren McElwaine for Matthew Gallagher.
Downings: Brendan Mc Gee, Hugo Davis, Ben Mc Nutt, Shane Mc Teague, Oisín Boyce, Ronan Gallagher, Kevin Doherty, James Mc Bride, Shane Boyce, Finian McClafferty, Keelan Mc Groddy, Pádraig Mc Ginty, Eric Roberts (0:02), Lorcan Connor (0:10), Alan Pasoma.
Subs used: Gary McClafferty (0:01), Aaron McClafferty (0:01)
Referee: Martin Mc Kinley (Naomh Colmcille)
