ANOTHER GRIPPING CHAMPIONSHIP weekend had Donegal gaels resting on the edge of their seats this weekend.
Bundoran needed a late point by Jamie Brennan to see of Aodh Ruadh and advance to the Intermediate final while two late scores from Michael Sweeney and Seamie Friel rescued a replay for Gaeil Fhánada against Naomh Colmcille and Killybegs survive another year in the senior championship after a play-off win over Cloughaneely.
It was another lengthy debate, but here’s the latest Team of the Week:
- Peter Boyle (Aodh Ruadh)
DESPITE Aodh Ruadh losing out to Bundoran in Saturday evening’s semi-final, Boyle had an almost-flawless performance. He had no chance with Jamie Brennan’s goal. Boyle’s handling was exemplary and his kickouts were on the money.
- David Conwell (Killybegs)
POPPED up with an early goal from corner back as Killybegs preserved their Senior Championship status with a win over Cloughaneely. His role was an attacking one and he roared in like an express train for the goal, getting on the end of Val Smyth’s off load to score. Was on top form in a do-or-die relegation play-off.
- Ryan McKinley (Naomh Colmcille)
MICHAEL Sweeney was like a wrecking ball at full-forward for Gaeil Fhánada and looked threating any time he was in possession during the first half. When they came out for the second half, Sweeney had Ryan McKinley for company. McKinley shackled Sweeney with a determined displayed that curbed the big attacker’s influence and the switching of McKinley to full-back was key.
- Ricky Hegarty (Naomh Colmcille)
QUIETLY effective as he usually is, Hegarty kept Marty McAteer scoreless in Sunday evening’s gripping Intermediate semi-final in Letterkenny. Hegarty delivered a typically consistent hour and personified the belief and hunger within Francie Martin’s team.
- Eoghan Ban Gallagher (Killybegs)
A QUALITY all-round display from Gallagher helped Killybegs defeat Cloughaneely. His distribution of the ball was superb and it was he who hammered the final nail into the Cloughaneely coffin. Late on, Gallagher broke in on goal and, in a one-v-one situation with Shaun McClafferty, he superbly finished, low and hard, to the net.
- Shane McGowan (Bundoran)
MCGOWAN was a reliable outlet for Bundoran as they edged out Aodh Ruadh to reach the Intermediate final. McGowan defended well and carried well out of defence on numerous occasions. His use of the ball was excellent and his experience shone through.
- Nathan Boyle (Aodh Ruadh)
IMPRESSIVE in both defence and offence for Aodh Ruadh. Was in impressive form from start to finish and he was one of the real stand out performers at Tir Chonaill Park.
- Hugh McFadden (Killybegs)
YET again, McFadden stepped up to the plate when Killybegs needed a inspirational figure. With Cloughaneely leading 0-9 to 1-5, McFadden kicked three points in three minutes to turn the tide. Scored seven points in all to follow on from a fine performance against Sean MacCumhaills the previous weekend.
- Michael Lynch (Naomh Colmcille, pictured above)
KICKED a couple of wonderful long-range frees for Naomh Colmcille and it was from his attempt from over 50 metres that the ball fell into the danger zone for Willie Gillespie to net their first goal.
- Jamie Brennan (Bundoran)
BRENNAN was the match-winner for Bundoran in a tense semi-final against neighbours Aodh Ruadh in Donegal town. Scored an outstanding goal in the 14th minute and unselfishly set up Gary Clancy for two goal chances.
Added a couple of vital scores, including the winning point in added time, landed off his right foot.
- Gary Clancy (Bundoran)
CLANCY hit four points, three of them from play, as Bundoran advanced into the final. When the game was in danger of creeping away from them, Clancy helped keep Bundoran in it. Combined well with Brennan several times and some of his points were superb.
- Willie Gillespie (Naomh Colmcille)
HIS predatory instincts saw him score two goals for Naomh Colmcille and had the good folk of the Taughboyne parish in dreamland until the closing seconds.
Gillespie also hit an inspirational point at a vital time in the second half and gave Gaeil Fhánada a torrid time.
- Seamie Friel (Gaeil Fhánada)
SHOWED nerves of steel to nail the final point of the game and earn Gaeil Fhánada another bite at the cherry.
Friel stepped up to score a 45-metre free with the final act of an exciting semi-final and his scores were certainly one of the main reasons that Michael O’Connor’s side avoided defeat.
- Michael Sweeney (Gaeil Fhánada)
A REAL handful at full-forward, Sweeney offers Gaeil Fhánada a dimension that few teams have in their locker.
Strong, direct and powerful, he was a menace in the first half and threatened to have Gaeil Fhánada out of sight.
Netted a brilliant goal and, while his influence was curbed considerably in the second half, he still hit one of the two last-gasp scores that pulled the Fanad embers out of the fire.
- Seamus Kane (Aodh Ruadh)
KANE was a constant thorn in the Bundoran side. He was marked by James Keaney, who is no slouch, but Kane didn’t give him a moment’s peace.
Won a number of frees and scored a goal that typified his display. Kane chased when seemed a lost cause, keeping the ball in play on the end line before turning back inside to hammer to the net.
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