Lacey stars as Four Masters pick up vital League win over Gaoth Dobhair

Four time All Star and 2012 Footballer of the year Karl Lacey kicked five points from play last night as Four Masters came from three down to beat Gaoth Dobhair and secure two vital points in their battle against relegation.

Four Masters 2-12 Gaoth Dobhair 3-8

The visitors fielded a starting fifteen which was missing many regulars but fought hard throughout this keenly contested encounter.

Eamonn Collum knocked over a early free for Gaoth Dobhair but Four Masters took over then scored 1-03 without reply in the next ten minutes.

Sean Meehan and Lacey kicked points from play and then Meehan blasted to the Gaoth Dobhair net after taking a Darragh Quinn pass and turning his marker.

Neil Ward added another fine point from play and the home side were five points ahead in the 13th minute at 1-03 to 0-01.

By the 22nd minute the sides were level as Gaoth Dobhair hit back.  James Carroll,  Kevin Cassidy from play and another free from Collum left two in it, Thomas McGowan replied with a Masters free but in the 23rd minute Michael Carroll and Collum combined to open the home defence and when the latter’ shot was saved by Eamonn Jordan, young wing-forward Daniel Mc Lochlainn was on hand to volley it to the net to make it 1-04 apiece.

Micheal Carroll gave Gaoth Dobhair the lead, Thomas Mc Gowan equalised but on the stroke of half-time Gaoth Dobhair got a second goal.

Daire Ó Baoill burst forward from his own half, exchanged passes with Cassidy and James Carroll and when his piledriver came back off the crossbar young Daniel McLochlainn was on hand again hammer the rebound to the net to leave it 1-05 to 2-05 at the break.

Four Masters came out of the traps quickly at the start of the second-half, McGowan, Lacey and Patrick Reed all kicked points and when Gaoth Dobhair made a complete mess of a free close to their own goal area Darragh Quinn Palmed the ball to the net to put the home side three in front.

That very quickly became six as Lacey doubled his tally with two super scores from the right and McGowan converted a free to make it 2-11 to 2-05 in the 52nd minute.

However the visitors weren’t finished and when Eamonn Collum blasted in their third goal it was game out again.

Cassidy burst through but his goal effort was just too high and there was two points in it.

Karl Lacey again showed his class with a fifth point from play to restore the three point lead but points by Cassidy and James Carroll plus six minutes of injury-time made it a anxious finish for Four Masters but the held on for a vital win.

This was only their third win in 14 league games and while they remain in the bottom spot in the table they have closed the gap on those directly above them and have games in hand on a couple of them so all is not yet lost.

The defeat wont concern Gaoth Dobhair too much but of much concern, with a vital championship game against Glenswilly in less than two weeks, will be the ankle injury picked up late in the game by County player Michael Carroll which saw him helped from the pitch in much discomfort.

Four Masters: Eamonn Jordan; Enda Bonner, Leo Mc Hugh, Darragh Quinn ( 1-0 ); Aaron McCrea, Dylan Kennedy, Barry Dunnion; Karl Lacey (0-5), Kevin McBrearty; Josh Lacey, Neil Ward (0-1), Caolan Loughney; Thomas McGowan (0-4f), Patrick Reed (0-1), Sean Meehan (1-1). Subs: Dylan Farren for J.Lacey (47),  Fergal O’Callaghan for Ward (57), Barry Monaghan for Loughrey (59).

Gaoth Dobhair: Christopher Sweeney; Ryan Kelly, Gary McFadden, Proinsias Gallagher; Neasan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Eamon McGee, Conor McCafferty; Michael Carroll (0-1), Odhran Ferry; James Carroll (0-2, 1f), James Gallagher, Daniel McLochlainn (2-0); Eamonn Collum (1-2), Kevin Cassidy (0-3), Daire Ó Baoill. Sub: Sean Ó Baoill for Carroll (46).

Referee: Val Murray (Aodh Ruadh).