A five-star performance by Odhran MacNaillais saw Gaoth Dobhair return to the top of the Division One league table with this well deserved win in Glenties.
Naomh Conaill 0-14 Gaoth Dobhair 2-12
Mac Naillais scored 1-07 of the visitors return of 2-12 , four of his points coming from brilliant scores off his ‘weaker’ right foot in the second-half to keep the scoreboard ticking over for his team each time Naomh Conaill threatened to get back in the game.
Naomh Conaill fielded without Anthony Thompson, Leo McLoone and Dermot Molloy and will be hoping to have all of them available for their championship open against Dungloe on the 8th September. Naoise O Baoill got Gweedore’s first goal in the third minute and MacNaillais added their second in the 20th minute.
Ciaran Thompson kicked a couple of excellent frees while Ultan and Eunan Doherty, Eoin Waide, Kieran Gallagher and John O’Malley chipped in with points also.
Eamonn McGee and two good scores from young corner forward Eamonn Collum helped the Gaoth Dobhair cause in that first-half. A free from Collum and two super right-footers from MacNaillais helped Gweedore lead by 2-09 to 0-08 but Thompson kicked two excellent points as did John O Malley, who also saw his shot crash back off the crossbar.
Mac Naillais converted off his right foot again and he and O’Malley then exchanged points to leave it 2-11 to 0-13 in Gaoth Dobhair’s favour.
Eoin Waide reduced that to three again but sub Gavin McBride converted a close range free to secure the points that send the visitors back to the top of the table. These two teams will meet again in the championship in three weeks time with both certain to have a full squad available for what will be a huge game for both in terms of championship ambitions.
Naomh Conaill: Stephen McGrath, Aaron Thompson, AJ Gallagher, Jason Campbell, Seamus Ellis , Ethan O’Donnell, Eoin Waide (0-2) , Johnny Bonner, Kieran Gallagher (0-1) Ultan Doherty (0-1), Jack McKelvey, Marty Boyle (0-1), Ciaran Thompson (0-4, 3f), Eunan Doherty (0-1), John O’Malley (0-4, 1f). Subs: Brendan McDyer and Logan Quinn for Ellis and Bonner (40).
Gaoth Dobhair: CJ Doherty, Kieran Gillespie, Neil McGee, Gary McFadden, Niall Friel, Christopher McFadden, Daire Ó Baoill, Peter McGee, Odhran MacNiallais (1-7), Donal McBride, Naoise Ó Baoill (1-0), Odhran McFadden-Ferry, Conor McCafferty, Eamonn McGee (0-1), Eamonn Collum (0-3). Subs: Seaghan Ferry for Friel (47), Gavin Mc Bride (0-1) for E.McGee (58 ).
Referee: Enda McFeely.
